Nuclear energy is a technology synonymous with elimination, radiation, health problems and instability, but also with mass energy production. Nuclear energy has many common misconceptions, such as these, and is often seen as a big risk. But rest assured that nuclear energy is the cleanest and most pristine way to power our growing nation, despite skepticism about safety issues. Nuclear energy is a way to harness the great power released by a nuclear fission reaction. Nuclear fission is “an extremely complex nuclear reaction that represents a catastrophic division of an atomic nucleus into two nuclei of comparable mass. This rearrangement or division of a heavy nucleus can occur naturally (spontaneous fission) or under bombardment with neutrons, charged particles, gamma rays or other energy carriers (induced fission)” (Huizenga). The latter is used in nuclear reactors. To enable nuclear fission, we must first introduce something that triggers the reaction. In most cases it is a neutron that is fired, forcefully, against a uranium atom. This reaction generates a lot of heat, the primary form of energy. This heat can be transformed into energy in much the same way as a coal-fired power plant. The heat released warms the surrounding water, which also acts as a refrigerant. This heated water eventually turns into steam, which rises and persists. This steam flow is passed through turbines that spin on an axis, which generates electricity. This electricity is then sent through a converter and sent to homes via power lines. The whole process is pretty immaculate and can produce a large amount of energy, but how much? A single atom of uranium-235 is capable of producing two hundred million volts of pure energy! This was just an atom! ... middle of paper ...... of money in the long run and possibly allow governments to give something back to a deserving nation. With this new insight into nuclear energy, our impending energy crisis is no longer a dilemma. Our streets will be filled with electric cars whirring in every direction, and our skies will be bright thanks to newer, cleaner, less dependent energy. Nuclear energy provides the necessary oomph for our rapidly growing country. Works Cited 1) Huizenga, John. “Nuclear fission”. McGraw Hill Companies 2008: np Access Science. Network. April 10, 2011.2) Marshall, Brian and Robert Lamb. "Nuclear power plant". howstuffworks.com. howstuffworks, 09 October 2000. Web. 10 April 2011.3) Rahn, Frank. "Nuclear energy". McGraw Hill Companies 2008: np Access Science. Network. 10 April 2011.4) “Safety of nuclear reactors”. world-nuclear.org. world-nuclear, March 29, 2011. Web. April 10. 2011.