What Does Nuclear Energy Do

As the name suggests, nuclear energy is the energy drawn from the nucleus of an atom. The energy in the nucleus of an atom is potent and in order to release this energy it has to undergo nuclear fusion or nuclear fission. All of this leads up to procuring nuclear energy – which is used as electricity. However, nuclear energy is not only used in nuclear power plants for electricity, but also has various other uses. Some of them are:

Nuclear Technology in Medicine:

Any person living in an industrialized economy has the benefit of being treated with nuclear implements based on his/her condition/ailment. Radiation biology is for the sterilization of used medical products and other such stuff, radiation therapy and radio pharmaceuticals are for the treatment of malevolent tumours and tele-therapy for the treatment of cancer all require nuclear energy and fall under it’s huge umbrella.

Nuclear Technology used for the Environment:

Nuclear energy is used in this sphere for purposes, like determining the precise amount of substances polluting the environment and their exact location and causes through the application of isotopes. Treatment beam electrons considerably reduce the evil effects of acid rain, the Greenhouse effect and the universally extensive use of fossil fuels that impact the health of people and their environment.

Nuclear Technology in the Military/Nuclear Weapons:

Nuclear energy has been for years used to build weaponry for battle and self-defence. The technology can be used to propel projectiles forward or explode. So, as you can connect the dots, guns, grenades, bombs etc. have been employed through nuclear technology. A gun works on the principle of propelling a bullet forward, while a grenade or bomb would explode in itself. Submarines, carriers, cruisers and aircrafts have also been making use of nuclear technology to an extent. The infamous Manhattan project which gave birth to the atomic bomb, created by Dr Robert Oppenheimer used nuclear technology. While this technology has been used with evil intent, it is still part of it’s scope, if you look at it neutrally. It is useful for national defence.

Nuclear Technology in Agriculture:

With the help of nuclear technology, developing and underdeveloped countries’ agricultural produce has incredibly increased with the application of isotope in agriculture. Nuclear technology helps make the best use of water, terminates pests and insects, improves the produce of crops and even modifies the conditions for effective fertilizers and water to create favourable conditions.

Nuclear Technology for Industrial Uses:

It plays a great role in the development and improvement of industries; their automation, quality control and measurement. It is the prime cause in the automation of high-speed manufacture lines and is based on the analysis of corrosion, maintenance, mixing and wear-and-tear of machinery and nuclear plant study. It is also used in the sterilization of use-and-throw goods and in the production of plastic.

Nuclear Technology and Food –

Nuclear technology helps in the preservation of food through the application of isotopes. Presently, there are thirty-five countries that have permitted the irradiation of food, as a step towards preservation.