There are 3 main types of radiation; alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha radiation has a positive charge that is represented by 2+. Beta radiation has a negative charge, which is represented by 1-. Gamma radiation has aneutral charge ans is often given off along with alpha radiation. Gamma radiation has no mass and it contains the highest amount of energy. Rafiation is energy released by unstable atoms, known as radioactive atoms, in an effort to become stable. Radiation is the only way to turn one element into another.
Fission/Fusion:
Fission is a process by which one substance is seperated into smaller substances, usually into the different components that made up the original substance. Fusion is the combination of two substances in order to gain a larger amount of the substance or to create an entirely new substance.
Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy is created when radioactive isotopes are used to create energy that heats water and causes it to turn into steam. The steam then turns a turbine, similar to that of a hydroelectric plant, and creates electricity. This is a highly effective way of creating energy because of the abundance of radioactive compounds and their high energy yields. Unfortunately, this method is not practical for producing all of the world's power. After an isotope has reacted it is no good for further energy production, though it retains its radioactivity and therefore becomes nuclear waste. There is no safe way to dispose of nuclear waste because the radiation it produces kills living cells, so all plants and animals exposed to it may die of radiation poisoning. Another fault of nuclear power is the devastating meltdowns of damaged or poorly managed power plants. When a meltdown occurs, all of the energy of the isotopes are released in one huge nuclear explosion that kills everything within a few miles around the plant. This and its production of radioctive waste make nuclear power an impractical option for an alternative energy source.
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