Nuclear is an energy source that is widely used in the
world. The history of nuclear energy can be traced back to year 1930’s. First
discovery of radioactivity was happened back to 1896 by Henri Becquerel when he
wrapped a photographic plate and along with a crystal which contained uranium (Chater J, 2005).
After a while, the plates emitted an invisible nuclear emanation which caused
by the crystal uranium. The discovery then continues and evolves to a nuclear
fission. This evolution continues to another level by the discovery of neutron
by James Chadwik, as a tool for nuclear energy. The figure of nuclear fission
and neutron is shown below:-
Nuclear fission
There are four main elements in nuclear atom. According to
Pearson J (2008), the elements are nucleon (refer to neutron or proton in an
atom), isotope (two nucleon which differs in the number of neutron), isotone
(converse of isotope) and isobar (a nucleon which has the same amount of mass
with the atom). These four elements combined together and creates nuclear atom.
Nuclear atom then react its force and produces energy (electrical charge) and
leftover neutron or waste (radiation). A figure of the reaction is shown
below:-
A nuclear or atomic reaction
As we know that nuclear is an energy source, a key energy to
sustain the human’s daily life and survival. Nuclear energy is cheaper to use
and operate rather than fossil fuel energy. According to Diesendorf M (2010),
the cost of nuclear energy per power station is US$ 7.5c/KWh, which is lower
than fossil fuel by 8 percent. Plus, the fuel-based energy like diesel can be
run out by the time of 2035, in terms of demands and resources. Nuclear energy
can generate electricity two and a half times more than oil-based energy. A
figure of comparison is shown below:-
World Electricity Generation by 2006
According to this
statistics, we can predict that the earth cannot produce and sustain a sources
needed for oil, coal and gas. This is because the composite and other material
used to create those three resources will be run out in the future. On the
other hand, hydro and nuclear based energy can sustain longer because the earth
nature gives an advantage to produce energy. For example, hydro based energy
generates electricity through water dam that using water flow to power up its
dynamo which produce electrical energy. At the same time, nuclear energy
constantly produces electricity because the radioactive atom was depending on
uranium which our mother nature constantly produces every day.
In conclusion, nuclear energy is a long lasting energy that
can be used to its fullest by any means necessary. This is because the
ingredient and elements is hardly run out rather than using oil, gas and coal
to generate electricity energy. Nuclear energy is the answer for the future
generation to sustain life those so demanding years after years.
Sources:-
- Chater J (2005), Focus on Nuclear Power Generation; A History of Nuclear Power, pp. 28.
- Diesendorf M (2010), Economics of Nuclear and Renewable Energy; Energy Science Coalition, Briefing Paper No. 1, pp.7, University of New South Wales, Australia.
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2XHXR9yyFFAb-Mi1vuvtay7xbQ0xVa40RvuFEIVVbreJQCr19_KkvdZ15p-ixd-DzJndhs_fkkHB93AaDkdrQbQDt-gNQvzuJ5MibsS8P_Zn1DUr-LZoDSLuj7TjWPcReRyRpqqOyQQ/s1600/Two+become+one.+Nuclear+fusion+-+two+hydrogen+atoms+join+together+to+form+one+helium+atom+releasing+energy+in+the+process.+ttechtoday.blogspot.com.jpg
- http://www.atomicarchive.com/Fission/Images/fission.jpg
- http://www.u3o8corp.com/images/Uranium%20Facts/Nuclear%20Energy/WorldElectricity208.gif
- Pearson J (2008), Nuclear Physics, pp.1, England.
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