Have you ever wondered what happened to all the nuclear energy that was created? Well that nuclear energy that was created and used long ago remains on “generating” for thousands of years. This is called radioactive decay; radioactive decay is when the nucleus of an atom splits. Now there are two ways in which nuclear energy can be created, the first way is called nuclear fission. To create nuclear fission the nuclei inside the nucleus of the atom split causing energy to be released, this is the process that sets off a atomic bomb. The second way to create nuclear energy is called nuclear fusion and it works by having the nuclei of an atom be conjoined together.
What is radioactive decay? When saying nuclei are radioactive it means that they are unstable. The nuclei being unstable means that it will decay by giving off particles that transforms the nucleus into another one, which means it has gone into a lower state of energy. When in its lower state of energy it will have a chain of decays that occur until the nucleus becomes stable once more. There are three different types of radioactive decay called alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay. The difference between them is the particle given off by the nucleus during radioactive decay.
Is nuclear energy a good or bad thing? While it may emit fewer greenhouse gases, the radiation that is given off isn’t easily dealt with very well like for example nuclear waste. There are many good pleasures that nuclear energy can create for the Earth and people. There’s lower carbon dioxide emitted, it cost less in the long run and it can generate enough energy for large industrial like cities. The waste from it can be used over again by waste recycling and reprocessing. But there are more risk than positives, there’s unknown risk factors, it is accident prone, it takes a long time and a lot of money to construct. I think that nuclear energy will be a better thing in terms of the future. It will help save our Earth by emitting less gasses into the atmosphere so can help conserve the atmosphere and even though it cost a lot now it will be cheaper and safer to energize large capacities.
When it begins to decay, will the aftereffects of it harm us? Well radioactive decay is given off for years and years it cannot be more harmful to us unless we are using more nuclear energy to set more radiation off. With the three types of decay one is more harmful than the next. Alpha decay occurs when the nucleus has too many protons and is the least harmful because just your skin can protect you from it. Beta decay happens when there are too many neutrons in comparison to protons in the nucleus, it also happens when the neutron to proton ratio is too small. Beta decay is the second least harmful and aluminum foil can stop the particle. Gamma decay is when the nucleus has too much energy and begins to fall down into the lower energy state. Gamma particles can be stopped by a piece of lead. Radiation and nuclear energy can be a problem if too much is given off at a time. Most of the time it is not a concern because the Earth emits it naturally and so do we. But if too much is being produced and is exposed there can be explosions and death.