How Nuclear Energy is produced
nuclear energy is produced through the fusion or fission of
atoms, which are the two types of nuclear energy that exist. Let's
look at the first type of nuclear energy: the fusion of atoms.
Fusion is the union of two nuclei of atoms. In other words, what
happens in fusion is that two nuclei of atoms fuse to form a single
atom. For this to happen, a very high temperature is needed, since
the nuclei of the atoms are bound together by the strength of their
electromagnetic field. Specifically, for the fusion of atoms to
occur, a temperature of approximately 100 million degrees Celsius is
needed. To produce such an amount of temperature, high pressure is
needed. Therefore, fusion of atoms is much more difficult to produce
than fission of atoms. In fact, it has
not yet been possible to manufacture nuclear reactors that can
produce energy by fusion, although several projects are under way.
(Technology glossary, 2024)
Fusion nuclear reactors, unlike fission nuclear reactors, do not
produce radiation. In addition, fusion of atoms is much cleaner than
fission, as it does not generate radioactive waste. At present, the
temperature required for the fusion of atoms to occur can only be
achieved in the interior of stars. In other words, nuclear fusion
energy is only produced in nature, it cannot be produced
artificially. (Technology glossary, 2024)