Nuclear is the term used to describe the central core of an atom. The word nuclear originally referred to the nucleus of a cell, and later came to refer to the atomic nucleus. The terms “nuclear fission” and “nuclear fusion” are used to describe the process by which atoms are split apart or joined together, respectively.
Atoms are made up of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, with electrons orbiting around this central core. When atoms undergo nuclear fission, they split into smaller atoms, releasing energy in the process. Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms join together to form a larger atom, also releasing energy. Both of these processes can be harnessed for use in power generation.
Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to generate electricity. This process begins with uranium fuel rods being placed inside a reactor vessel. When these rods are bombarded with neutrons, they split apart, releasing energy that is converted into heat. This heat is then used to produce steam, which turns turbines that generate electricity.
Nuclear fusion is not yet able to be harnessed on a large scale for power generation, but research is ongoing in this area. In theory, nuclear fusion could provide an almost limitless supply of energy with very little waste product produced. However, there are significant technical challenges that need to be overcome before this can become a reality.
The use of nuclear technology isn’t limited to power generation; it also has applications in medicine and industry. For example, radioactive isotopes can be used in cancer treatment (radiotherapy), while nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body’s interior without the need for surgery