Nuclear power is something that is debated worldwide. In some lights, the use of nuclear power is looked at as the newest and most innovative way of producing power. In other opinions, it is obvious that the risk of using nuclear power is great. There have been many disasters to prove the detrimental outcomes it can have around the world.
In a nuclear power plant, the main goal is to produce power. Like in any coal or gas power plant, steam is used to allow the plant to run. A process called fission is completed to create this steam. In power plants, the element (usually Uranium) undergoes a process called fission so that the nucleus is split in half. When split in half, the nucleus of the atom is altered which causes a large amount of heat to be released. This process is essential for the company to run and the power company to produce power.
Power is essential worldwide, and nuclear power has many positive outcomes. Unlike coal or gas power plants, nuclear power does not actually burn anything. Gasses that are produced by the splitting of an atom release heat. Nuclear power does not release harmful gasses like some other methods. This means that when used correctly, nuclear power is environmentally friendly. Nuclear fuels can also be recycled, and cost companies a lot less than fossil fuels.
Contrary, nuclear power has many negative aspects as well. Nuclear power is very dangerous, and if used incorrectly, it could be disastrous. Nuclear waste is also extremely difficult to get rid of, and must be stored somewhere.
Nuclear power has lead to many dangerous disasters. One is the Fukushima Accident that happened in 2011. This was the largest nuclear disaster since the Chernobyl disaster that happened in 1986. This accident followed a major earthquake that disabled the supply of power and cooling for three Rukushima Daiichi reactors. This incident happened on March 11th 2011. By the first three days, the three cores were melted. This devastating accident was rated a 7 on INES’s scale because of the releases of radioactivity. This nuclear disaster along with the tsunami caused considerable damage for East Japan. Due to possible atmospheric venting of gasses that would be radioactive, everyone within a 20 km radius were told to evacuate. Measurements that were taken