The energy released during a nuclear reaction is called Nuclear Energy

 

Nuclear reactions are of two types

  1. Nuclear Fission 
  2. Nuclear Fusion

 

Let’s study both of them

Nuclear Fission

In Nuclear Fission,

Nucleus of a Heavy Atom like Uranium, Plutonium, Thorium

is bombarded with low-energy neutrons,

And it splits into lighter nuclei

nuclear-fission---teachoo.png

 

This difference in mass between the original nucleus and the nuclei after fission gives rise to tremendous energy.

This energy is given by the Equation

E = mc 2  

Where  m is difference of mass

& c is Speed of Light

 

The fission of an atom of Uranium produces 10 million times the energy produced by burning Coal

 

We use Nuclear Fission to generate Electricity in a Nuclear Power Plant

 

Nuclear Fusion

In Nuclear Fusion, we join lighter lighter nucleus to make a heavier nucleus

nuclear-fusion---teachoo.png

It produces a tremendous amount of energy, and this same energy is the source of energy in Sun and Stars

 

The conditions required for fusion are extreme - millions of degrees of temperature and million of pascals of pressure.

 

What happens in a Nuclear Bomb?

In a Nuclear Bomb ,

  • Fission of Uranium or Plutonium takes place at the Core
  • This core is embedded in a substance containing Deuterium and Lithium
  • When the bomb is detonated, fission takes place and the temperature of this substance is raised to 10 7 K  in a few microseconds.
  • This provides the conditions for fusion of lighter nuclei to take place, 
  • and due to Nuclear fusion, a devastating amount of energy is released

 

Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear power plant is based on the idea of nuclear fission.

nuclear-power-plant---teachoo.png

In a Nuclear Power Plant, nuclear fuel undergoes self-sustaining fission reaction,

which releases energy at a controlled rate

kudankulam-nuclear-power-plant-in-koodankulam,-tamil-nadu.jpg

Advantages of Nuclear Energy

  • It produces a large amount of energy for a small amount of fuel
  • Once we put the nuclear fuel in the reactor, it can produce energy for 2 or 3 years continuously, we do not need to put fuel again and again
  • No greenhouse gas is emitted while producing Nuclear Energy

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

  • Major hazard of Nuclear Power Generation is the disposal of used fuels - used Uranium still decays into subatomic particles (i.e. radiations)
  • Improper Nuclear Waste storage and disposal results in environmental contamination
  • There is risk of leakage of Nuclear Radiation
  • The Nuclear fuels - such as Uranium has limited availability
  • Setting up a Nuclear Energy Power Plant has a high cost
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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo