The Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power

What are the Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power and is it better compared to others? There are a lot of benefits to nuclear energy, but there are also some problems with it, along with there being two different types. So, is nuclear energy what we need right now, or just another problem with the world? With that, we will explain the pros and cons of both types of nuclear energy, and how it can be better than some other power sources out there.

The Two Types

When it comes to nuclear energy there are two main types, Fission and Fusion. Fission is a nuclear reaction that causes an atom to split into two different atoms, this is commonly done with Uranium, usually U-235 is used, and it is what we use in today’s nuclear power plants. Fusion is a nuclear reaction that causes atoms to combine. Right now we haven’t developed an efficient way to do so but we know it is possible. Also, in Fusion they usually combine two Hydrogen atoms into one Helium atom. Both produce tons of power, but one is better than the other.

The Pros and Cons of Fission

Fission is the current way that we do nuclear energy but there are many Pros and Cons about it compared to other energy sources.

Pros and Cons:

• • Pro: There is almost zero carbon emissions (Unlike coal and natural gas)
  • Pro: It is a stable power source (Unlike solar and wind that depend on the natural elements)
  • Pro: It can help us be more energy independent because it is a stable power source
  • Pro: Least number of accidents/deaths than coal, natural gas, or oil
  • Pro: Creates large amounts of energy
  • Con: Work environments can be very harmful to workers
  • Con: If the nuclear waste is not disposed of properly, it can be very hazardous to the environment and the workers dealing with it
  • Con: If the nuclear reactor where to fail (which doesn’t happen frequently), a nuclear fallout would expel into the air

As you can see nuclear energy is very safe, efficient, stable, and clean compared to other energy sources.

The Pros and Cons of Fusion

Fusion is better than Fission, but it is not efficient at the moment, but when it is better developed it will be one of the best if not the best energy solution.

Pros and Cons:

• Pro: There is almost zero carbon emissions (Unlike coal and natural gas)
• Pro: It is a stable power source (Unlike solar and wind that depend on the natural elements)
• Pro: It can help us be more energy independent because it is a stable power source
• Pro: Creates large amount of energy, possibly more than Fission
• Pro: There is no need for nuclear waste disposal (Unlike Fission)
• Con: We can’t do it (as of right now)

As you can see Fusion is the future of energy because not only is it stable, but it is also safe, and clean for the workers and the environment.

Related Stories:

https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nuclear-power-most-reliable-energy-source-and-its-not-even-close

https://ourworldindata.org/safest-sources-of-energy

http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/nuclear-power/600414.