An Underrated Power Source
The average person spends roughly eight-and-a-half hours per day simply staring at a screen, whether a television, computer, or mobile phone (Alvarez, Mark). Clearly, technology is highly valued in our modern society. If these devices were taken away, the world as we know it would change dramatically. It is evident that people have become dependent on a variation of technological equipment. These frequently used gadgets need to be charged continuously, but where does this crucial power come from? People often base their knowledge about power sources off assumptions, rumors, and beliefs that have been passed on through several generations.
For instance, nuclear power is a concept that many associate with negativity and issues regarding radiation. This is mainly a result of a widely spread, popular belief of negative concepts and false information. With our growing dependence on electricity, nuclear power is an important part of United States society. Although people have a tendency to only notice the drawbacks of nuclear energy, this power source is an efficient method with multiple benefits. Nuclear energy is a method of power commonly used throughout several countries across the world, including the United States.
However, many believe that nuclear power is a negative concept, particularly regarding beliefs that nuclear radiation is a threat. However, in saying so, people forget the countless advantages that nuclear power brings to both the population and the world. Despite popular belief, there are several advantages to nuclear energy radiation. Often, nuclear radiation is used for benefit of society. Scientists and experts have come to find that nuclear radiation may have a lot less harmful effects than accounted for, however the controversial issue has persisted over many years.
In spite of the opposition, there are many common uses of nuclear radiation. For instance, “Nuclear medicine and radiology are the medical techniques that involve the use of radiation or radioactivity to diagnose, treat and prevent disease” (“Benefits of Nuclear Science: Human Health”). This illustrates a practical and important use of nuclear radiation in medicine. Research shows that when proper care and safety measures are put to action, the otherwise concerning concept of nuclear radiation is a growing advantage to help improve the world on many levels. In addition to benefits in medicine, nuclear radiation contributes greatly to science, which is essential to improving our world, lifestyle and knowledge. NASA puts a heating element containing radioactive material to keep spacecrafts warm, protecting them from extremely low temperatures in space (“Space Radiation Analysis Group”).
The negative reputation of nuclear power shows little information on how useful radiation truly is, and we continue to develop our understanding of radiation and its advantages today. This overall leads increasingly more to believe that, despite the disadvantages, nuclear radiation has clear benefits and, when proper safety measures are in order, can actually contribute a great deal to the world in a positive sense. Not only are there advantages to nuclear radiation and the fuel source, but to the economy as well. The various conveniences of nuclear energy as a power source outweigh the disadvantages and contribute to creating an efficient method of power with a reliable fuel source. Nuclear energy uses uranium as a productive fuel source that has beneficial differences from other sources of fuel. Uranium is plentiful and is used to generate 13% of the world’s electricity, and 20% of the United State’s electricity (“What is Uranium? How Does it Work?”).
Nuclear power companies continue to rely on uranium as a source of fuel due to this distinct efficiency and power that is simple, yet quite effective. “Uranium is a very heavy metal which can be used as an abundant source of concentrated energy” (“What is Uranium? How Does it Work?”). The weight of the uranium directly corresponds to how much fuel is needed to produce a specific amount of energy, and therefore a small amount of the substance creates a tremendous amount of power for its size. A single uranium pellet is equal to 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas, 1,780 pounds of coal, or 149 gallons of oil (“Nuclear Fuel Processes”). Not only is this source used to power nuclear energy bounteous, but exceedingly capable as well. Uranium comes at low-cost, stable prices.
“Compared to natural gas, a fuel also used to generate electricity, uranium is already relatively low in cost and less sensitive to fuel price increases” (“The Benefits of Nuclear Energy”). Not only is uranium abundant, but also inexpensive, unlike natural gases, which we frequently use for powering electricity. Overall, a major benefit of nuclear power is its fuel source, an essential concept to an effective power source. Along with the positive principles of nuclear radiation and operating efficiency, a contributing factor to the benefits of nuclear energy has economic advantages that come with using it as a power source. Not only can the installation and production of nuclear power create jobs, but also saves money with predictable costs, unlike the use of expensive fossil fuels.
Likewise, compared to other common electricity sources, such as oil, gas, and coal, nuclear power is found to cost the least over time (“The Economics of Nuclear Power”). This source of power also allows us to prevent dependence on foreign countries for power or rely on expensive fossil fuels. Additionally, nuclear power has the ability to stand through changing weather and unpredictable events, proving to be a reliable and efficient choice. Overall, the United States would likely see negative impacts on the economy if they were to stop using reliable nuclear energy as a power source. Even though popular belief may say otherwise, nuclear power plays an important role in the world due to its countless advantages and secure dependability.
Not only does nuclear power give people the superiority of an efficient fuel source, radiation benefits, and economic gratifications, but gives United States citizens the required power to support daily use of electronic devices and other technologies. The unfavorable perspective on nuclear energy can change, with the help of the people. Whenever false rumors try to state otherwise, keep in mind the importance of nuclear power, because, without it, a significant portion of our daily lives could not be possible. Citizens have the power to give nuclear energy the credit it deserves, simply by changing their position. Works Cited Alvarez, Mark. “The Average American Adult Spends 8 1/2 Hours a Day Staring into Screens.
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