Nuclear energy

• What is the nuclear energy?

The nuclear energy is the energy that is released spontaneously or artificially in nuclear
reactions.
• What is a nuclear reaction?
They are the interactions between atomic nuclei or between atomic nuclei and elementary
particles
TYPES OF NUCLEAR REACTIONS

• Fission Nuclear :
 It is a reaction in which a heavy nucleus, bombarded with neutrons, becomes unstable and
decomposes into two nuclei, with great energy release and neutron emission.

 When neutrons are released during the fission process, they can initiate a chain reaction of
continuous fission.
 Nuclear Fusion :
 Nuclear fusion is the process of making a single heavy nucleus from two
lighter nuclei.
 The final mass of the nucleus is less heavy than the combination of both
initial masses.It releases a large amount of energy.
 This lost mass is changed into lots of energy. This is shown in Einstein's famous
E=mc2 equation.
Applications of nuclear energy
 Nuclear medicine: Use the radioactive isotopes, nuclear radiation,
electromagnetic variations, for prevention, diagnosis, therapy and medical
research.

 Industry : Radioactive tracers, Radiographs of the internal structure of the pieces

and improve the quality of certain products.

 Mining : The physical and chemical composition of the soils can be determined, to
know if a stratum has the favorable conditions to contain minerals or fuels.