Nuclear Energy

Latest about Nuclear Energy

A jar of mayo in front of a burning sun

Physicists solve nuclear fusion mystery with mayonnaise

By Tia Ghose published

The same physics that underlie mayonnaise could help physicists corral the ultrahot plasma needed to produce nuclear fusion.

Nuclear Energy
Inside the JET tokamak

Nuclear fusion reactor in UK sets new world record for energy output

By Joanna Thompson published

The JET nuclear fusion reactor in the UK has set a new world record for total energy output. However, the reactor's record-smashing test will be its last.

Nuclear Energy
The nuclear bomb attack against Nagasaki, Japan on Aug. 8, 1945.

What is fission?

By Nola Taylor Redd, Tia Ghose last updated

Fission is the process by which an atom splits into two, generating two smaller atoms and a tremendous amount of energy. Fission powers nuclear bombs and power plants.

Nuclear Energy
The damaged Chernobyl nuclear power plant: a group of ruined and damaged gray, green and white buildings

Chernobyl: The world's worst nuclear disaster

By Marc Lallanilla published

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion resulted in the most horrific nuclear disaster in the world.

Nuclear Energy
Person wearing a yellow biohazard suit in a decontamination shower against an industrial background.

How do you decontaminate objects exposed to radioactivity?

By Joanna Thompson published

Can a person or object exposed to high radioactivity just take a shower with soap and water, or is more needed for decontamination?

Nuclear Energy
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare — as seen in the bright flash on the top right — on Oct. 2, 2022. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in orange.

What is nuclear fusion?

By Nola Taylor Redd, Tia Ghose published

Nuclear fusion is the merging of two light atomic nuclei into one heavier one. If it can be harnessed on Earth, it could generate clean, limitless energy.

Nuclear Energy
The Chernobyl plant has been captured for nearly 3 weeks.

Chernobyl plant loses electricity again

By Ben Turner published

Ukrainian officials blame the power cut on Russian troops

Nuclear Energy
Chernobyl nuclear reactors.

Chernobyl nuclear power plant has lost electricity

By Ben Turner published

Chernobyl's nuclear power plant is now without electricity, as Russian forces occupy the defunct facility in Ukraine.

Nuclear Energy
A screenshot from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant's livestream during a fire following fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

Ukrainian nuclear plant set on fire. Should we worry about another Chernobyl?

By Ben Turner published

Russian troops have seized and set fire to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Here's what that means in terms of radiation.

Nuclear Energy
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant, shown here after the explosion on April 26, 1986, is at risk from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

What would happen if Russia bombed Chernobyl?

By Ashley Hamer published

Russian troops have captured the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which still contains nuclear waste that could pose a threat to the surrounding area.

Nuclear Energy
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