When people hear the word nuclear, most will think of complete destruction and radiation poisoning. These people are partially correct; the first public appearance of nuclear technology was the Atomic Bomb at the tail end of World War Two, ending the war with its annihilating capabilities (Nash). Since 1945, this technology has been harnessed by scientists and engineers globally, especially in America. Through advancing the medical field, upgrading industry in the country, and by ensuring national security, the Atomic Bomb has positively impacted America life today.
As opposed to its first application, nuclear technology has been applied to the improvement of health. Many studies have been conducted to analyze the effects of radiation on …show more content…
While experimenting with nuclear chain reactions at an isolated location in Idaho, government scientists discovered that this process could generate usable electricity (“Outline”). This inaugural nuclear power plant led to further development of nuclear power, eventually leading to the commercial nuclear power plants that exist today. When juxtaposed with other methods of electricity generation, such as coal fired and natural gas power stations, it is clear as to why nuclear power is a popular choice among power companies. Unlike the process of burning fossil fuels, nuclear reactions have been proven to release absolutely zero carbon emissions, reducing the overall greenhouse emissions from America (“Introduction”). Duke Energy also reports that, “Among coal, natural gas and oil, nuclear power plants have had the lowest electricity production costs since 2001,” (“Introduction”). Duke Energy further states that nuclear power is an integral component of a clean energy combination, which includes wind and solar power, as nuclear power is a consistent back-up to these variable forms of renewable energy sources (“Background”). Yet another beneficial aspect of nuclear power generation is the amount of power a reaction can produce. In this visual representation (left), three different power sources—nuclear, coal, and mineral oil—are juxtaposed according to the amount of fuel required to generate approximately 5,000 Kilowatt hours of power. Coal power is coal to generate this amount of electricity; mineral oil requires over 1,000 kilograms. Nuclear power, however, only requires less than 0.1 kilograms of Uranium to generate 5,000 Kilowatts hours of power. Through the advancement of technologies that branched from the Atomic Bomb, nuclear technology has given America a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective method
As opposed to its first application, nuclear technology has been applied to the improvement of health. Many studies have been conducted to analyze the effects of radiation on …show more content…
While experimenting with nuclear chain reactions at an isolated location in Idaho, government scientists discovered that this process could generate usable electricity (“Outline”). This inaugural nuclear power plant led to further development of nuclear power, eventually leading to the commercial nuclear power plants that exist today. When juxtaposed with other methods of electricity generation, such as coal fired and natural gas power stations, it is clear as to why nuclear power is a popular choice among power companies. Unlike the process of burning fossil fuels, nuclear reactions have been proven to release absolutely zero carbon emissions, reducing the overall greenhouse emissions from America (“Introduction”). Duke Energy also reports that, “Among coal, natural gas and oil, nuclear power plants have had the lowest electricity production costs since 2001,” (“Introduction”). Duke Energy further states that nuclear power is an integral component of a clean energy combination, which includes wind and solar power, as nuclear power is a consistent back-up to these variable forms of renewable energy sources (“Background”). Yet another beneficial aspect of nuclear power generation is the amount of power a reaction can produce. In this visual representation (left), three different power sources—nuclear, coal, and mineral oil—are juxtaposed according to the amount of fuel required to generate approximately 5,000 Kilowatt hours of power. Coal power is coal to generate this amount of electricity; mineral oil requires over 1,000 kilograms. Nuclear power, however, only requires less than 0.1 kilograms of Uranium to generate 5,000 Kilowatts hours of power. Through the advancement of technologies that branched from the Atomic Bomb, nuclear technology has given America a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective method