Taylor Wilson

English 1102-001
Professor Eaker
3-30-2014
Introduction:
Nuclear energy, the perfect system of efficiency and effectiveness, or is it? Yes, nuclear
energy is the most effective means of energy, but is it worth the risk? In this essay, a question
will be attempted to be answered. Not for or against the topic, but purely based on the facts and
what history as well as modern day science has to say about the matter. Three specific groups of
peoples opinions will be discussed; people protesting against nuclear energy in Fukushima
Japan, scientists that have been involved in the research of nuclear energy, and American people
that arent informed about the effects and dont really care. In listening to all of these views
hopefully it will give you a greater idea on the cost risk factor of nuclear energy.
Background:
Nuclear energy is energy in the nucleus of an atom and can be used to make electricity.
However, the energy must first be released. [4] The energy can be released by either nuclear
fusion or nuclear fission. Nuclear fusion is when energy is released and atoms are combined to
form a larger atom. Nuclear fission is when atoms are split apart to form smaller atoms. This
release quite a bit of energy. Nuclear fission is what nuclear power plants all over the world use
to produce electricity.
The science of atomic radiation and change was first developed in 1895. Many scientists,
such as Ernest Rutherford, Frederick Soddy, and James Chadwick conducted experiments that
expanded what little information was known about the atom. The most important discovery was
at the end of 1938, when Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann, living in Berlin at the time, showed
new elements like barium that where was lighter than the main elementsource for the fission,
experimentation, uranium. This showed demonstrated that atomic fission had occurred because
of how the larger molecule had broken down forming a new lighter molecule. Lise Meitner and
her nephew Otto Frisch then explained this by suggesting that the neutron was captured by the
nucleus, causing severe vibrations which led to the nucleus splitting into two not exactly equal
parts. [5] The energy released from the fission reaction was calculated at about 200 million
electron volts. If you dont know, lighting only has 2.2 million electron volts.
Those developments of 1939 created an increase in laboratory activities. It was
eventually shown that fission not only released a lot of energy, but also released neutrons which
could cause fission in uranium, and possibly make a self-sustaining chain reaction. Two
scientists named Bohr and Wheeler extended these ideas into what became the regular definition
of what a fission reaction is today. Their paper was published two days before World War II
broke out in 1939. [4]
During that time, nuclear fission was just an idea that maybe could be used for
sustainable energy but was too expensive to see to fruition. However, one other concept use for
fission was documented in a document known as the Frisch Peierls Memorandum. The
document described how nuclear fission could also be used as an atomic bomb. More
specifically, they predicted that only 5kg of pure uranium 235 could make an explosion equal to
several thousand tons of dynamite. On the down side, they also explained how the uranium 235
atomic bomb could have radiation after effects. After the United Sates used the idea on
Hiroshima (6
th
of August) and Nagasaki (9
th
of August) and Japan surrendered to the allied
forces, the idea of fission was yet again turned back to being used as sustainable source of
electricity.
A little ways into the war, two physicists, Peierls and Frisch, gave an idea to the concept
of the atomic bomb in a three page document known as the Frisch-Peierls Memorandum. In this
document, they predicted that an amount of about 5kg of pure uranium-235 could make a very
powerful atomic bomb equal to several thousand tons of dynamite. They also suggested how
such a bomb could be detonated, how the U-235 could be produced, and what the radiation
effects might be in addition to the explosive effects. At that time the USA wasnt interested in
this atomic bomb idea. Further research was done in secret by an organization called MAUD.
They experimented with the thought of fission as a weapon and as a source of energy.
Unfortunately, it was predicted it would take about 5 million dollars to turn this reaction into a
type of sustainable energy.
The idea of an atomic or fission bomb wasnt put to use until December 9
th
1941, when
the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and America entered the war. The first atomic bomb, which
contained U-235, was dropped on Hiroshima on the 6
th
of August 1945. The second bomb,
containing putonium-239, was dropped on Nagasaki on the 9
th
of August. On the 10
th
of August
1945, the Japanese Government surrendered. Afterwards, the effort of production and
experimentation of nuclear weapons was slowed and put into the idea of using this energy for
fueling societys cities with power and electricity.

People In Japan Speaking against Nuclear Power:
Not a lot has happened since the Chernobyl disaster, but the Fukushima earthquake and
tsunami on March 11
th
2011 resulted in the meltdown of three of the Fukushima 1 plant's six
nuclear reactors. After this, the power plant began releasing large amounts of radioactive
material beginning the next day. It is said to be the largest nuclear incident since the 1986
Chernobyl because of the massive amounts of radioactive water which is among the most
pressing problem that is affecting the cleanup process that is expected to take decades. There
have been continued spills of contaminated water at the plant, and some into the sea. Plant
workers are trying to lower the leaks, using measures such as building underground walls, but
they have not improved substantially. People, not only in Japan, but all over the world are being
affected by this event. From the prospective of the people living near Fukushima Japan, theyve
now had to evacuate their homes in order to get away from the effects of the radiation. Now the
radiation is said to have spread throughout Japan, as well as the rest of the world.
I am here today because I want to rid the planet of nuclear power as quickly as possible, said
Fumiko Ichikawa, one of the Tokyo demonstrators participating in an anti-nuclear protest on
March 11
th
2014. [3]

Scientists and Americans that agree with nuclear energy:
Scientists have been studying the effects of radiation on people. Most people understand
its extremely dangerous, but the risks dont make up for how much we rely on nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy is 86% efficient compared to coal which is 55%, natural gas which is 56%, and
wind which is only 33%. Also, nuclear energy is very affordable and clean. Being 64% carbon
free fuel meaning it gives off less greenhouse gases that effect the earths messing with the
earths ozone. According to a 2012 Gallup poll, 57% of Americans say they favor nuclear
energy for electricity, and that 81% of American living near power plants favor it according to
Casenergy.org. People in America also dont believe that they are being affected by the Japan
radiation leak. Scientists know otherwise, but still favor using nuclear fission as a main source of
power.

Works Cited:
1. Whitman, Christine T. "Top Ten Facts About Nuclear Energy." CASEnergy Coalition. N.p., 2006.
Web. 04 Apr. 2014.
2. Lindsay, Heather E. "Nuclear Energy Issues." Nuclear Energy Issues. CSA, Mar. 2002. Web. 02
Apr. 2014.
3. "FUKUSHIMA UPDATE | Nuclear News from Japan." FUKUSHIMA UPDATE. Ed. James Corbett
and Broc West. N.p., 16 Oct. 2011. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
4. "WNA in Japanese:." World Nuclear Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
5. "Outline History of Nuclear Energy." History of Nuclear Energy. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.
6. "Japan: Thousands Take Part in Anti-nuclear Protests Ahead of Fukushima Anniversary."
RSS. N.p., 11 March. 2014. Web. 04 Apr. 2014.