More Cool Facts About Nuclear Energy!

What is nuclear energy?

Nuclear energy is released by three exothermic processes:
1. Radioactive decay, where a proton or neutron in the radioactive nucleus decays spontaneously by emitting a particle

2. Fusion, two atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus

3. Fission, the breaking of heavy nucleus into two nuclei

The sun uses nuclear fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium atoms. This gives off heat and light and other radiation. 

Nuclear energy (nuclear power) accounts for about 19 percent of the total electricity generated in the United States, an amount comparable to all the electricity used in California, Texas and New York, three most populous states. 

Nuclear energy is produced by a controlled nuclear chain reaction and creates heat—which is used to boil water, produce steam, and drive a steam turbine.

Nuclear power plants need less fuel than ones which burn fossil fuels. One ton of uranium produces more energy than is produced by several million tons of coal or several million barrels of oil. 

Learn more with facts like these at http://www.our-energy.com/energy_facts/nuclear_energy_facts.html