Disadvantages and effects of using nuclear energy
The energy in the nucleus of an atom is nuclear energy. This energy, when released, can be utilized to create electricity. However, it must be split from an atom first. This process is called nuclear fission. A nuclear reactor is a power plant composed of a series of machines. It controls and coordinates the process of nuclear fission to generate electricity. These reactors use pellets of uranium as their fuel. In a nuclear reactor, the atoms split. While splitting, they release tiny particles called fission products. These particles initiate the breaking of other atoms forming a chain reaction with the formation of heat energy. The heat warms the cooling agent (water, liquid metal, molten salt, etc.) that produces steam. The steam turns the turbine and drives generators. Electricity generation using nuclear power sounds interesting due to low or negligible greenhouse gas production. In reality, the whole process is much more complicated and hazardous. Uranium mining waste, radioactive waste maintenance, exposure to high-level radiation and health hazards, and proliferation of nuclear weapons are the main reasons for gaining its unpopularity.
Nuclear Power Challenges
Radioactive waste
Miscellaneous
Uranium mining
Proliferation risks
This Ishikawa diagram contains some of the main disadvantages and effects of producing electricity using nuclear energy. This incident analysis template helps to understand the risks we run while generating electricity.
Curated from community experience and public sources:
