THE  PROMISE
AND  POTENTIAL
OF  NUCLEAR  ENERGY

    Nature provides many examples of the amazing properties and energy of the atom. The sun, being a nuclear reactor,  is  one  example.  Radioactivity  is  another.

    Most of the nuclear power produced in the world today comes from the controlled splitting (fission) of radioactive uranium in reactors that transform uranium’s nuclear energy into heat. Heat, in turn, creates steam for turbines to generate electricity, to propel ships, to drive industrial processes.

As a fuel, uranium has a distinct advantage over coal,oil, and gas. The latter three, as you know, are in limited supply. On the other hand, when uranium can be used in advanced nuclear fission reactors such as breeders, the known reserve of uranium would provide the world with energy for centuries to come. It represents a heat source that, properly controlled, is safe and does not significantly affect our environment.

    This booklet contains some of the basic facts about nuclear energy, along with experiments related to these facts. An understanding of nuclear energy is essential if future citizens are to deal intelligently with questions on energy options . . .  questions we face as a nation and as a world community.