Rayane - Nuclear

What is Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear Energy is the energy that comes from machines that are underground collecting energy from nuclear fissions or nuclear fusions when atoms split. The machines get this energy by absorbing it. The fuel is Uranium because its atoms easily split apart.

Where is it used?

• Used in 3 Mile Island - There was a famous meltdown in 1979

• Used near Grants, Mexico

• Used in Camden, New Jersey

• Used in Richland, Washington

• Used in Asse, Germany

• Used in Ukraine - There was an accident in Ukraine in 1986 that left the area abandoned

Cons of Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear waste can become weapons

• The radiation can cause cancer

• Uranium is an unstable material

• Nuclear Waste can contaminate groundwater supplies

• Nuclear Energy requires a large infrastructure

Do the Pros outweigh the Cons? Or do the Cons outweigh the Pros?

The Pros outweigh the Cons because although Nuclear Energy could cause diseases like cancer, it does produce energy and as long as there aren't any homes near the Nuclear Power Plants, no one could get harmed. Also, there is very little pollution that it causes, unlike energy from fossil fuels like coal that produce a lot of greenhouse gasses and pollution. It doesn't depend on weather like Wind energy and Solar energy. Finally, it doesn't depend on tides like tidal power.

Sources I used

National Geographic - Nuclear Energy

Vittana.org - 26 Important Nuclear Energy Pros and Cons

eia.gov - Nuclear Explained

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