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Advantages of Nuclear Energy

i) It produces a large amount of useful energy from a very small amount of a nuclear
fuel (like uranium-235).

ii) Once the nuclear fuel (like uranium-235) is loaded into the reactor, the nuclear power
plant can go on producing electricity for two to three years at a stretch. There is no need
for putting in nuclear fuel again and again.
iii) It does not produce gases like carbon dioxide which contributes to greenhouse effect
or Sulphur dioxide which causes acid rain.

Disadvantages of using nuclear energy

 Nuclear waste is hazardous as heavy atoms decay into harmful subatomic
particles.
 High setup and maintenance cost
 Limited availability of uranium
 Can be used for destructive purposes

Basis Nuclear Fusion Nuclear Fission

Definition Fusion would be defined as the Fission would be defined as the
joining of two or more small atoms division of a single atom into
to form a large atom. multiple atoms of small size.

The necessity of A massive amount of energy is Requires less energy to divide
Energy required to combine small atoms atoms into two or more ones.
to form a large atom.

The release of The release of energy during The amount of energy released in
Energy fusion is way higher than that of fission is much lower than the
the fission reaction. energy released during fusion.

Production/Usage of Experiments in power plants use The energy produced in nuclear
energy this technology. power plants uses this technology.

Natural Reactions Takes places in stars and the Sun Never occurs in nature in normal
that are natural forces. cases.

Ideal Conditions High density and high-temperature There is a necessity to have a
atmosphere are the requirements. critical mass of the substance and
neutrons with high speed.

Reaction Outcome Very few radioactive chemicals The fission reaction produces
come out of this reaction. highly radioactive substances.