At first nuclear power was only seen as a means of destruction but after World War II a
major effort was made to apply nuclear energy to peacetime uses. Nuclear power if made
when a nucleus of an atom is split to release a powerful burst of energy. Though
technological advancements nuclear power now supplies us with new medical aids, a new
power source and new ways to do scientific research.
New medical advancements are being produced rapidly due to nuclear power. Nuclear
material is now being used to treat diseases. Pacients suffering from cancer can then be
exposed to the healing effects of the radiation under controlled conditions. The
radiation of the nuclear energy can help in medical tests. Radioactive phosphorus is an
important diagnostic aid. It is injected into the veins of a patient, it concentrates in
the cells of certain brain tumors. Thyroid gland strongly attracts iodine. Radioactive
iodine is used both in diagnosing and in treating diseases of the thyroid. Nuclear power
is changing the face of medicine with new cures and tests that will cure millions..
Nuclear power can be converted into strong and efficient nuclear energy and be used for
many purposes. Nuclear power reactors generates heat that is converted into steam. The
steam can be used directly for energy. This energy is used in transportation. Most
military subs are now ran by nuclear energy. The most used purpose of nuclear energy can
also be used to generate electric power for example in a commercial nuclear power plant.
Another way to produce nuclear energy is by gas-cooled reactors with either carbon
dioxide or helium as the coolant instead of water. This method is used mainly in
commercial nuclear plants in the United Kingdom and France due to the lack of freshwater.
With growing popularity nuclear energy will definitely of the future with new ways to use
this energy in a positive manner.
Scientists can now use nuclear power for biological research to help understand life
more. Radioactive isotopes have been described as the most useful research tool since the
invention of the microscope. Physiologists use them to learn where and at what speed
physical and chemical processes occur in the human body. Isotopes are also used for
agricultural Biologists use radioactive isotopes to see how plants absorb chemicals as
they grow. With radioactive cobalt, botanists can produce new types of plants. Structural
variations that normally take years of selective breeding to develop can be made to occur
in a few months.
Many believe that nuclear power is too destructive and as such should be destroyed.
Although it does have it's negative aspects, nuclear power is not evil in anyway. Nuclear
power is an inanimate object, it does not live nor have a mind of it's own. It is the
human race that decided that the best way to use this power was to use it as an
instrument of war. Nuclear Power should be seen as a positive and humanity can blame no
one for its destructive manner but themselves. It was our decision to use it for death,
it is now our responsibility to use it for life.
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