Nuclear Energy

 

Nuclear energy is the energy released from the nucleus (center) of an atom during nuclear reactions such as fission or fusion. In nuclear power plants, heavy atoms like uranium are split in a process called nuclear fission, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat. This heat is used to produce steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity. Nuclear energy can produce a huge amount of power from a small amount of fuel, but it must be handled carefully because it produces radioactive waste and can be dangerous if not managed properly.