Introduction to Nuclear Power

All matter is made up of atoms and molecules. Atoms contain a huge amount of energy, and we can harness this energy under the appropriate conditions. Modern nuclear power plants use the power of the atom to generate electricity which is used to run everything electrical in your home, from your toaster and hair dryer, to your computer and garage door opener.

Harnessing this power is not a process that is without difficulty or risk, however. If not done correctly and safely, energy from the atom can cause damage to living things and property. This series of pages will attempt to give you a background in how atoms can give us energy, how this atomic energy is used in the modern day, as well as the benefits and risks that come with using atomic energy.

Fission vs. Fusion - Where is the energy of the atom? How is it released? We will look at two methods of liberating this "nuclear force" contained by the protons and neutrons in an atom.
Parts of a Nuclear Reactor - How do we harness the energy of the atom to create electricity? We will look at different types of reactors and describe the role each part plays in the process of generating electricity.
Issues of Nuclear Power - Nuclear power provides a vast supply of energy, but there are also some less popular issues to deal with; what do we do with waste? What happens if there is an accident? We will take a look at both of these issues.

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