Nuclear power can be obtained from nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion reactions Presently, the vast majority of electricity from nuclear power is produced by nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear power plants. Has not conducted a nuclear test in over 30 years Experts say doing one now could make america less safe. Nuclear energy, energy that is released in significant amounts in processes that affect atomic nuclei, the dense cores of atoms One method of releasing nuclear energy is by controlled nuclear fission, used in nuclear power plants around the world
Another method, controlled nuclear fusion, has not yet been perfected. Nuclear fission is a reaction where the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, while releasing energy At nuclear power plants, the heat to make the steam is created when atoms split apart — called fission When atoms split apart, they release heat When the process is repeated over and over, it is called a chain reaction In a nuclear power plant, uranium is the material used in the fission process.
The office of nuclear energy within the u.s Department of energy (doe) focuses its research primarily on maintaining the existing fleet of reactors.
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