Question

Write a short note on nuclear energy.

Answer 1

Energy is defined as the ability of a body to do work. Energy is an important parameter when we are dealing with motion, work, power and thermodynamics. Energy can be of many forms like mechanical energy, electrical energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, solar energy etc. Also, energy is measured in units of Joules.

Complete answer:
Nuclear energy is the energy that is obtained from the nucleus of a radioactive nucleus. The materials which are radioactive in nature keep on disintegrating by emission of certain types of radiations. There are broadly two types of nuclear processes- Nuclear fission and Nuclear fusion. The process of nuclear fission is used to generate electricity and for destructive purposes in the form of atomic bombs. There are many nuclear power plants in India like one in Tamil Nadu which are used to generate electricity. The atomic bombs which were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the second world war uses nuclear energy for destructive purposes.
The second process in nuclear fusion which involves two or more lighter nuclei come together to form a heavy nucleus with emission of a large amount of energy. But to achieve such a process we require very high temperatures. The energy produced in the sun is obtained by nuclear fusion. Hydrogen bombs work on the principle of nuclear fusion.

Note:
The law of conservation of energy says energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but it can be converted from one form to another. In nuclear power plants nuclear energy is used to run the turbine which in turn generates electricity. Similarly solar energy with the help of semiconductors is converted into electricity.