Nuclear Energy

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What is nuclear energy?

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Nuclear energy is the energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, especially when used to generate electricity.

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What is radioactive waste?

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Radioactive waste is material that contains radioactive substances and is a byproduct of nuclear reactions.

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What is fission?

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Fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of energy.

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What is fusion?

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Fusion is a nuclear reaction where two small atomic nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy.

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What is half-life?

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Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

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What is a chain reaction?

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A chain reaction is a series of reactions where a reactive product or by-product causes additional reactions to occur.

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What is uranium-235 (U-235)?

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Uranium-235 is a specific isotope of uranium that is used as fuel in nuclear reactors and is capable of sustaining a chain reaction.

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What are the pros of nuclear energy?

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Pros include low greenhouse gas emissions, high energy density, and reliability as a power source.

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What are the cons of nuclear energy?

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Cons include the production of radioactive waste, high initial costs, and the potential for catastrophic accidents.

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How does nuclear energy compare to fossil fuels?

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Nuclear energy produces less air pollution and greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuels.