ABSTRACT
The generation of power from nuclear energy differs from other sources of energy in that it is based upon the inherent instability of the nuclei of particular heavy atoms which have a tendency, or can be induced, to fall apart. It is the opposite of our principal source of energy, the Sun, in which the energy arises from the fusion of the nuclei of light atoms. The power generated from a nuclear reactor is derived from the binding energy of the nuclei of heavy atoms. Some of the binding energy is converted into kinetic energy of nuclear fragments; this becomes manifest, ultimately, in the form of heat. The heat arises from successive collisions of the fragments with other atoms. Unstable atomic nuclei expend energy in a number of ways, for which the all-embracing term radiation is used. Atomic radiations interact with matter in different ways to produce a variety of effects; it is these effects which pose the potential danger of power generation from nuclear energy. But to understand the reasons for this it is first of all necessary to understand something of the nature of the atomic nucleus itself.
