What Are the Sources of Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear energy is created by splitting heavy atoms (fission) or joining light atoms (fusion), which then creates heat. Nuclear energy occurs naturally, but man has discovered how to control nuclear reactions to create electric power-generating plants, propel naval ships and create nuclear weapons. Although all sources of nuclear energy involve atoms, the reactions between the atoms to create the energy can occur in different ways.

Fission

• Nuclear plants use fission to create electricity.

  One source of nuclear energy involves the splitting of atoms, or fission. To simplify, imagine arranging several marbles on the floor close together and then tossing a single marble at the group. The group would split up sending other marbles in different directions. The group of marbles represents the nucleus or center of the atom, and the marble tossed at the group represents an electron. This splitting of a nucleus by an electron is how nuclear fission occurs.

Fusion

• Nuclear fusion is the opposite of fission and occurs when light atoms (those with less neutrons and protons in their nuclei) are compressed under intense heat and pressure to form heavier atoms, releasing heat in the process. If conditions are just right, more energy can be created than is consumed. This makes this source of nuclear energy an attractive goal for the scientific community to pursue as a viable energy source. The main fuels in fusion are Deuterium and Tritium, both of which are found in abundance in nature. The greatest challenge to the widespread production of fusion-based power is creating a power plant that can withstand the tremendous pressures and temperatures required to achieve and sustain fusion.

Decay

• Radioactive decay occurs when unstable atoms attempt to become stable and give off energy in the process. This happens because a radioisotope contains unstable nuclei (the centers of atoms), which do not have enough energy to hold the nucleus together. To reach a stable state, the nuclei in the radioisotope give off matter and energy, which often results in the radioisotope transforming into a new element.

Man-Made vs. Natural

• Man-made nuclear energy includes fallout from the atmosphere from nuclear weapons testing, the use of fusion to produce electricity from nuclear power plants, medical procedures such as x-rays and CT scans and lasers. Radiation is also emitted from man-made items such as such as smoke detectors and lantern mantles.

  Examples of natural nuclear energy include the heat we receive from the sun, which is the result of nuclear fusion. Along with the heat the sun provides, cosmic radiation from space constantly bombards the earth. Rocks in the earth's crust emit natural radiation, and contribute to the presence of radon in some homes.