Nucler+Energy+(John+Mohorcic)

=What is nuclear energy?=

Nuclear energy is a clean form of energy that comes from the bond between atoms. The energy in the bonds can be used to generate electricity, but first it has to be released. This energy can be harnessed in two ways: nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. Both these two forms most commonly use uranium atoms, particularly U-235 atoms because they are easily split. However, other atoms can be used. Nuclear fusion is when atoms are combined, or fused, together to create energy, releasing heat. Fusion is how the sun creates its energy, but this form of energy is under research right now as to whether or not it can safely be used to create electricity. The second form of nuclear energy is nuclear fission. This is when neutrons are fired at the nucleus to split the atom, which creates heat. This type of nuclear energy is what is used by nuclear power plant to generate electricity ("Uranium (nuclear)", 2008).

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A video on how nuclear energy is used to produce electricity. = = =What problem is nuclear energy trying to address?=

The first problem nuclear energy is trying to address is pollution. Coal power plants are releasing many pollutants into the air as a waste product of the coal. Nuclear energy would solve this problem because it does not only release a small amount of carbon dioxide into the air along with water vapor. Nuclear energy is a source of energy that is readily available and allows one plant to produce mass amounts of energy (Peterson, & Rohrer, 2007).

=When is it useful?= Nuclear energy is useful now, it is already being used to produce 20% of electricity in the United States ("Uranium (nuclear)", 2008). This form of energy is very clean, only producing small amounts of carbon dioxide as waste. Unlike other forms of green energy, nuclear energy is always available and does not depend on weather to produce energy. This is becoming the energy of the future because it addresses global warming and the need to reduce carbon being released into the air.

=How does the topic relate to one or more of the nutrient cycles?= Nuclear energy relates to the carbon cycle. What nuclear energy is doing is balancing out the carbon cycle. The cutting down of forests along with the use of fossil fuels have caused carbon dioxide to build up in the atmosphere. In turn, this helps to cause the greenhouse gas effect, which is the trapping of heat in the air by greenhouse gases. Nuclear energy will help to balance out the carbon cycle because it will release minimal amounts of carbon dioxide into the air. This will help to control the global warming problem that is a big issue among all nations. Although it does not relate to the natural water cycle, nuclear power plants use the water cycle to create electricity. Water is heated and turned into steam by nuclear reactions. The steam then turns a turbine, which creates the electricity by turning copper coils around a magnet. The water then condenses and is sent back to be heated again, as run off. =Is this a viable solution to protect the biosphere?= Nuclear energy is a viable solution to protect the biosphere. It is an energy source that is readily available and is being used now to produce energy. This is a very clean type of energy that can be used without depending on nature, unlike other kinds of green energy, such as wind and solar power. By not using fossil fuels, it will keep pollutants from fuels out of the air. This will help to clean the air, making it healthier to breath, and to reduce the effects of global warming.

=What are the possible consequences to the environment?= Positive consequences include a healthier planet and the use of an energy that does not rely on a limited resource. This is a cleaner energy that will also help to address the problem of global warming. A negative consequence would be a nuclear meltdown. This could cause nuclear radiation to leak out of the plant and into the surrounding areas. Nuclear radiation can cause serious damage to plant and animal life and possess a great problem to humans. Humans can die from nuclear radiation. It can also cause mutations in a person's DNA causing deformities in their offspring. Some safer green forms of energy include Wind energy and Solar Energy. These are safer, but also have more restrictions. = = =Citations=

(2008, October). //Uranium (nuclear)//. Retrieved from http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=nuclear_home-basics Peterson, A, & Rohrer, J. (2007). //Pros and Cons of Nuclear Enegy//. Retrieved from [] (2009). //Carbon Cycle of a Farm//. Retrieved from http://www.farmingfutures.org.uk/x510.xml