Nuclear Energy
When we hear of nuclear energy, we are reminded of year 1945, when the Allies ended the war with Japan by dropping two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima (August 6) and the other on Nagasaki (August 9) As a result of the gigantic explosion created by the bombs, a large -number of people were killed. Many were maimed.
The terrible holocaust tormented Albert Einstein. He regretted that he should not have formulated the Theory of Relativity, since it enabled scientists to split the atom and make nuclear bombs. He made up his mind to become a pacifist. “Rifle bullets kill man,” says Einstein, “but atomic bombs kill cities. A tank is a defence against a bullet, but there is no defence against the weapon that can destroy civilization.”
Nuclear energy is also used to run submarines and ships. The first atom-propelled submarine of the USA was put to sea in January 1954.. It cruised 62,500 miles without refueling and its endurance records were greater than that of the conventional submarines. In 1958 another submarine was put to sea to join its pioneer sister: Both atomic submarines created newspaper headings when they traveled under the ice packs at the North Pole. The biggest nuclear venture of the USA is its war-ship “Enterprise”, an 86,000-ton super-carrier with a flight-deck 11,000 feet long. Eight nuclear reactors provide the propulsive thrust to push this super-carrier through the waves at speeds of thirty-three knots.
The radioactive element Carbon 14 is very useful to archaeologists and scientists. This was discovered in the year 1948. All plants contain this element, which is formed out of the nitrogen in our atmosphere, when it is bombarded from outer space. When anything dies, it stops taking in Carbon 14. Keeping this in mind, it has been possible to calculate the age of ancient objects from the amount of Carbon 14 remaining in them. The American scientist Dr. Willard F. Libby devised an apparatus for such calculations called the Carbon Clock, the most accurate means of dating the past.
Radioisotopes are useful to the farmer. Agricultural research with tracers is helping scientists to understand the growth cycle of plants, to find out what is the best nutriment, for various crops and to learn more efficient methods of combating plant pests.
Industrialists are also enjoying the benefits of atomic science. Engine and lubricant efficiency are quickly determined by the radioisotopes. The efficiency of soap and detergents can be appraised by contaminating the clothes with a radioactive material. Cigarette manufacturers usually employ nuclear radiation in radioactive gauges, which maintain a constant check on the amount of tobacco in the paper-covered tubes. This is done by bombarding the cigarette with a beam of rays from a radioactive source.
Nuclear energy has already entered the field of medicine. Cobalt-60 is used for the, treatment of several kinds of cancer. Iodine-131 is very valuable in the treatments of thyroid diseases. Radioactive sodium is used in some operations. Radioactive particles are very dangerous to the–human body. The World Watch Institute in-Washington made an appeal to the nations of the world to give up nuclear power because of the grave threat it entails. The accident in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station killed more than thirty persons.
The need to protect against radiation hazards raises the cost of nuclear power stations. The new technology of special materials also contributes to higher costs. Further, nuclear power stations involve a great risk in the disposal of their radioactive ashes or wastes. For example, a typical large nuclear power reactor produces radioactive ashes equal to many tons of radium, as far as radiation hazard is concerned.
Mr. Ralph E.Lapp, an eminent American writer on nuclear science, says the world’s resources of nuclear fuel in the earth’s crust are truly enormous. There are_ roughly ten million tons of this precious material which can be exploited and is .the equivalent of 20,000 billion tons of coal.
Since fossil fuels are running out fast, several nations of the world are trying to produce electricity, using uranium or some other fuel. Today 17% of the electricity produced in the world is from nuclear power stations. All nations that produce electricity from nuclear fuel have to comply with the measures laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency (Vienna) to ensure safety. -India does-not lag behind in this field. Her progress is commendable round the houses through a special system of pipes. This method is also used to warrior houses in Ladakh.
India is short of power. Out of the total energy produced in India, 69% is from thermal power, 25% from hydel and 2% from nuclear’ power and about 4% from diesel and gas. To tide over the energy crisis, India ‘should establish more and more hydro electric projects and nuclear power stations, without causing any harm to the environment.
