Nuclear energy

During the second half of the 20th century, nuclear became an important source of energy for some countries.

This energy is released when the nucleus of an atom of uranium-235 or plutonium is split. This is called nuclear fission.

Nuclear fission releases immense amounts of heat. This heat can be used to turn water into steam to drive turbines that generate electricity.

Nuclear fission also produces radioactive waste. The safe storage of this waste is an issue that challenges governments around the world.

In the past the accidental leakage of radiation from nuclear power plants has seriously affected the lives of workers and people in surrounding communities.

Australia owns about 30 per cent of the world’s known uranium reserves but does not use nuclear power to generate electricity.

Because uranium is obtained from uranium ore, which is in limited supply in the earth, nuclear energy is regarded as a form of non-renewable energy.