Nuclear Energy Facts
“Important events in history of nuclear energy”
Important events in history of nuclear energy
- In 1780 German scientist Martin Heinrich Klaproth discovers Uranium. That becomes the keystone of nuclear energy.
- In march 1986 French scientist Antoine Becquerel discovers radioactivity.
- In 1934 Italian scientist Enrico Fermi shows that neutrons can split atoms.
- In July 1939 Enrico Fermi and Leo Sziland propose a idea of nuclear reactor that uses Uranium fuel.
- In December 1951, First electric energy from a nuclear power plant was produced in Arco,Idaho. It powers four electric bulbs.
- Finally world’s first commercial nuclear power plant opens in obninsk soviet union. It has 6 megawatt capacity.
Interesting facts about nuclear energy
- Nuclear energy, in the simplest way, can be defined as the energy released due to a nuclear reaction.
- Uranium undergoes nuclear fission to form this Nuclear energy.
- The discovery of nuclear energy started immediately after the discovery of radioactive elements.
- Although it is believed that Henri Becquerel discovered nuclear energy, contributions of several other scientists like Enrico Fermi, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Otto Hahn, Fritz Strassmann, proved invaluable.
Interesting facts about nuclear energy
- Their individual contributions in radioactivity and nuclear chemistry helped in production of this nuclear energy.
- Nuclear energy is formed due to the conversion of mass to energy, that takes place due to splitting of atoms.
- This nuclear energy can be calculated using Dr. Albert Einstein’s famous formula E = mc2 (where E is energy, m is mass, and c2 is the speed of light).
- Uranium (U-235) is the most widely used fuel for generation of nuclear energy, as its atoms split easily.
Interesting facts about nuclear energy
- Around 15-18% of the world’s electricity and nearly 20% electricity in the USA comes from nuclear energy.
- Until the recent data available, there are around 104 atomic power plants in the USA, and more than 400 all around the world, that produce nuclear energy.
- No harmful gases are emitted during the production of this energy. Therefore, it is considered as one of the best sources of energy without any air pollution.
Interesting facts about nuclear energy
- However, nuclear energy facts also suggest that there are chances of episodes like the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 in Ukraine, occurring again.
- When talking about uses of nuclear energy, production of energy and electricity is the biggest benefits. However, the increasing danger of nuclear weapons also looms over the whole world.
- Nuclear power plants, nuclear reactors, nuclear submarines, radiation therapy, etc. are also some of the examples of nuclear energy.
Important applications of nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is used in almost all the fields in this modern world. Some of them are listed below,
- Nuclear energy is used Food and Agriculture industries.
- Nuclear energy is used in major and minor surgies and plays an important role in Human Health
- Nuclear energy is used in Detecting Leaks in Pipelines
- Nuclear energy is used in the Determination of Age
- Nuclear energy is used in Use in Space
- Nuclear energy is used in Generating Electricity
Other types of Atomic Energy
