Nuclear Energy
Nuclear
fission or the splitting of the nucleus of an atom releases great amounts of
energy, much more than any other conventional energy source. Nuclear energy has
enormous potential as an energy source. There is almost limitless supply of
energy. However, radioactive by-products and waste post serious health and
environmental risks.
The atomic or nuclear bomb is the uncontrolled
release of nuclear energy. The tremendous power and deadliness of this is
evident when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed by atomic bombs at the end
of World War II in 1945. The devastation was enormous, nothing like what human
beings had seen before. it is not something to be repeated. Even so, the major
powers of the world now possess enough atomic bombs to wipe out the entire
population of the world. It is a chilling thought that human beings are now
able to wipe themselves out. We can only hope that they have the sense not to.
In a nuclear reactor, the release
of nuclear energy is controlled. This energy is used for various purposes such
as for generating electricity and driving submarines. However, the reactor has
to be maintained carefully. An accident is potentially disastrous. The leakage
of radioactive substances can cause death to living things and pollution of the
environment, such as that which occurred at Chernobyl.
As it is now, nuclear energy bolds enormous potential as an energy source but it is not totally safe to use. Perhaps one day, with more research and knowledge, human beings will learn how to harness nuclear energy safely.