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Causes and Effects of Nuclear Energy

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Causes & Effects of Nuclear Energy

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Nuclear power is often hailed as a powerful and important alternative energy source in the quest to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Through fusion and fission, nuclear power has many important uses such as power and national security, but it also has some controversial effects on human health and the environment.
Cause: Weapons
Nuclear weapons are created through nuclear fusion reactions, which occurs when two light atoms are fused at high speeds to create a larger atom with a heavier nucleus. This reaction releases monumental amounts of energy and creates large explosions. The most famous examples of nuclear weapon use were the hydrogen bombs dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945. The creation and retention of these weapons was also a main factor in the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union. Many nations believe these weapons increase national security by dissuading other nations from attacking them.

Effect: Radiation
While the bombing on Japan did cause serious physical damage due to the initial explosion, the health effects of radiation from nuclear weapons can be more devastating than the original explosion. Ionizing radiation from weapons causes living cells to sicken or mutate, causing nausea, vomiting, open sores, skin irritation, burns, ulcers, internal bleeding, hair loss and cancer. Acute exposure from the initial explosion and prolonged exposure from lingering radiation can affect an area for decades.

Cause: Power
Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to create energy. During fusion, rods of uranium are bombarded with additional neutrons, which sometimes latch on to new atoms, causing other neutrons to separate from the atom producing heat energy. The heat produced in these

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