Also known as atomic energy. The energy released when the nucleus in the nucleus redistributes. Nuclear energy can be divided into three categories: (1) fission energy, the energy released when the nuclei of heavy elements (such as uranium and plutonium) split; (2) Fusion energy is the energy released when the nuclei of light elements (deuterium and tritium) polymerize; (3) Radioactive energy released when the nucleus decays. The difference between nuclear energy and chemical energy is that chemical energy is obtained through the exchange of electrons between atoms in chemical reactions. For example, when coal or oil burns, only a few electron volts can be released during the oxidation of each carbon or hydrogen atom, and nuclear energy is obtained through the redistribution of nucleons (neutrons or protons) in the nucleus, which is surprisingly large. For example, each uranium atom can release 200 million electron volts of energy during fission, so the energy released during fission of 1kg uranium is equivalent to 2500t standard coal. The energy released by the same amount of fusion fuel during fusion is 4~5 times greater than that during fission. Now, people have used nuclear fission energy to generate electricity and heat, and are also studying controlled nuclear fusion, trying to develop and utilize nuclear fusion energy. The use of radioactive energy is also common. For example, radioactive batteries use the energy released during the decay of plutonium -238 to generate electricity.

nuclear energy power generation

Nuclear power generation is a way of power generation using a mineral called uranium as fuel. After the heavier nuclei in uranium raw materials are collided by neutrons, they will split into smaller nuclei, releasing a lot of heat energy, turning water into steam, driving generators and generating electricity for everyone to use. So, when you turn on the power, you can watch TV and listen to music, which is the credit of the all-weather operation of the nuclear power plant!

Nuclear energy and its risks, advantages and disadvantages

As mentioned above, with the development of society and the progress of science and technology, human demand for energy has increased dramatically. The massive burning of fossil fuels has brought about worrying environmental problems and depleted their reserves on the earth.

Since the beginning of this century, the energy crisis has swept the western countries again and again. In China, the shortage of energy supply has lasted for more than 20 years. Since the 1980s, the country has been short of more than 20 million tons of coal, oil1000000 tons and electricity (500× 108 kWh) every year. About 25% of the country's industrial production capacity can't play its role because of insufficient energy. Before 1996, the energy industry became a "bottleneck" industry that restricted China's economic development.

In order to alleviate this contradiction of energy, nuclear power has developed rapidly. By the end of 1995, there were 476 nuclear power plants in use and under construction worldwide. Nuclear energy has become the main energy source in some countries. Table 4.6 lists the situation of countries where nuclear power accounts for more than 10% of total electricity in 1985. The distribution of energy resources in China is uneven, and the policy of developing energy is "thermal power, hydropower and nuclear power simultaneously, adapting to local conditions". The first 30× 104kW PWR nuclear power plant designed and built in Qinshan, Zhejiang Province has been connected to the grid for power generation at 1992. Two 90× 104kW nuclear power units imported from Guangdong Daya Bay were also put into operation in 1993 and 1994 respectively. Two 60× 104kW nuclear power units in Qinshan Phase II Project and two 90× 104kW nuclear power units in Daya Bay Phase II Project started construction one after another. With the development of economy, nuclear power in China will have a period of rapid development. By the end of this century, it is expected to exceed the installed capacity of 1.0× 107kW. There are 6 nuclear power units in operation in Taiwan Province province, China, with an installed capacity of 4.89× 106kW, and another 2 1.0× 106kW are under tender.