what is nuclear

Nuclear refers to the energy released from the nucleus, the core of atoms, made up of protons and neutrons. Nuclear energy can be produced in two ways: fission and fusion. Nuclear fission is the process of splitting the nucleus of an atom into several parts, releasing energy. Nuclear fusion is the process of fusing two nuclei together. Nuclear power is the use of nuclear reactions to produce electricity. In nuclear power plants, nuclear fission is used to produce heat, which is then used to generate electricity. Uranium is the fuel most widely used by nuclear plants for nuclear fission. The released energy can be converted into electricity, shaft horsepower, building heating, desalinated water, hydrogen, and many other things useful to human civilization. Nuclear energy is considered a low-carbon energy source because splitting atoms is a carbon-free process.