Nuclear fission is the process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two nuclei, colliding with another particle or may occur naturally, and releasing a large amount of energy. This energy can be harnessed and put to good use, for example to generate electricity in a nuclear reactor. This energy can also harm people, can be used to create a nuclear bomb, and can cause a huge catastrophe. Another problem with nuclear fission is the waste it produces. These are the pros and cons of nuclear energy. Then we can harness the energy produced through the fission process and generate electricity. All this happens in nuclear reactors. At the center of the reactor is a uranium core. Uranium, uranium-235, is the preferred isotope, it is used because it undergoes fission naturally and at a slow rate. The energy emitted by the uranium is then used to heat the water. The water then turns into steam, and the steam drives a turbine that turns a generator to produce electricity. These are the basics of how a nuclear reactor works. This method is better than traditional coal-fired power plants because it emits minimal levels of carbon dioxide into the air. This process is also more reliable than other forms of alternative energy such as solar panels or wind turbines. Since we can't control the weather, it won't always be all sunny for a solar panel and it won't always be windy for wind turbines. Nuclear reactors can last 40 to 60 years. It sounds too good to be true and it is, because many things can go wrong and the result would be an environmental catastrophe. The most famous examples of nuclear reactor meltdowns are Chernobyl and Japan. In 2011 a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan and triggered a huge tsu...... middle of paper ......da didn't want nuclear waste transported to their state. We are exposed to small, non-lethal doses of radiation every day. The type of radiation that is very lethal to humans and all other living things is gamma radiation. This type of radiation, if you are exposed to it, alters the molecular structure of your DNA and can lead to mutations in your offspring and can lead to diseases such as cancer. Alpha and beta particles are usually deflected away from the skin and are not as harmful. Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are types of ionizing radiation, which means they can remove electrons in cell atoms, causing cells to mutate. Radiation can be useful in our daily lives. It is used in x-ray machines to look at bones inside the body and a lead vest is put around you to protect you from the radiation so you are not completely exposed to it.