nuclear energy

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Science & Tech

nuclear energy

Also known as: atomic energy, atomic power

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 8, 2024 • Article History

nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

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Category: Science & Tech

Also called:: atomic energy

Key People:: Glenn T. Seaborg; Christopher Hinton, Baron Hinton; Andrey Sakharov; Edward Teller; Igor Vasilyevich Kurchatov

Related Topics:: nuclear reactor; nuclear submarine; nuclear power; nuclear binding energy; nuclear power plant

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nuclear energy, energy that is released in significant amounts in processes that affect atomic nuclei, the dense cores of atoms. It is distinct from the energy of other atomic phenomena such as ordinary chemical reactions, which involve only the orbital electrons of atoms. One method of releasing nuclear energy is by controlled nuclear fission in devices called reactors, which now operate in many parts of the world for the production of electricity. Another method for obtaining nuclear energy, controlled nuclear fusion, holds promise but has not been perfected by 2020. Nuclear energy has been released explosively by both nuclear fusion ...(100 of 424 words)

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