Nuclear Energy and Atoms One World
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Structure of an Atom: Matter is composed of atoms. Atoms are composed
of pieces like electrons, protons and neutrons. Electrons are negatively
charged and protons are positively charged. Neutrons have no charge.
There are even smaller particles moving around in the protons and
neutrons. They are called nucleons and quarks. Nuclear chemists and
physicists work together at particle accelerators to discover the presence
of the miniscule pieces of matter. You have a basic atom. In the middle of
an atom there is a thing called a nucleus. The nucleus in an atom is a place
where you can find protons and neutrons. The electrons are always found
whizzing around the center in areas called shells or orbitals. If the charge
of an entire atom is “0” or neutral, it means there are equal numbers of
positive and negative pieces. The third particle is called a neutron. It has a
neutral charge. Also known as a charge of zero. All atoms have equal
numbers of protons and electrons so that they are neutral. If there are
more positive protons or negative electrons in an atom, it has a special
name called an ion.
Benefits of Nuclear power:
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Economically: Nuclear Power plants provide low-cost, predictable power
at good prices. Working at a plant like that can be really dangerous but it
provides jobs. Nuclear power plants don’t take up too much space.
Politically: The possibility for long-term production is great since new
reactors, where costly can be made when the old ones wear out.
Environmentally: Of all energy sources, nuclear energy has perhaps the
least lowest impact on the environment. In other words nuclear energy is
the most ecologically efficient of all energy sources. It produces the most
electricity in relation to its minimal environmental impact. Nuclear power
plants do not produce any gases such as nitrogen oxide or sulfur dioxide
that could threaten our atmosphere. It doesn’t pollute in a very direct
way. It is cleaner than many other forms of energy production. This is a
reference to greenhouse gas emissions, which are released into the
atmosphere.
Disadvantages: Nuclear power gives off radiation, which can be harmful to
humans. A nuclear meltdown can occur which can release massive amounts of
radiation into the community. Nuclear power plants produce extremely
radioactive waste. Nuclear reactors only last for about forty-fifty years, so where
they are really productive, they break down and are costly to replace. Some
reactors produce plutonium, which can be used to make nuclear weapons. If the
whole world were to use these, they would have unlimited access to nuclear
weapons.
Bibliography:
- http://www.fi.edu/guide/wester/benefits.html
-http://www.chem4kids.com/files/atom_structure.html
-http://www.bukisa.com/articles/31724_advantages-and-disadvantages-ofnuclear-power