Atomic energy

ATOMIC ENERGY 

 The use of atomic energy promises vast possibilities for the mankind. In the beginning of this century, Einstein advanced the theory that matter is energy and energy is matter and each may be converted into the other. He said that the atom contained vast stores of energy that may be used in a thousand ways. 

 

Atomic energy

The problem was how to tame the atom and obtain and use its energy.In 1938 Hahn and Strassmann succeeded in splitting. The nucleus of an atom of Uranium. Later, it was found that the process of splitting the atom released enormous amounts of energy. 
Then on 2nd December, 1942, scientists succeeded in obtaining the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction .
Today’s reactors' which obtain energy from the atom are very efficient machines They, harness only a fraction of the total energy available in the atom. Even this energy which is actually obtained from the atonfris; enormous..It is estimated that energy in one pound of uranium is equivalent to that of three million pounds of coal. 
The research in the mysteries of the atom is going on in many countries of the world. It is hoped that before long better and more efficient reactors will be built. These will be able to obtain atomic energy at an economical cost. 
Atoms provide compact form of fuel which provides a vast amount of energy and it also lasts longer. Atomic energy can be used in many ways and for many purposes. It can be used to bring peace and prosperity to the whole of this earth. It can also be used to destroy this world and its inhabitants'. It can do anything. It can perform miracles if we have the power and wisdom to use it only for peaceful purposes. 
If we do not possess that much wisdom, man has not many years to live on this earth. Atomic energy can be used in many ways and for many purposes. It . can be used for bringing peace and prosperity' to this world. It can also be used to destroy this earth and its inhabitants1. It can perform miracles for us if only we have the wisdom to ask for them. it Today, atomic energy produces electricity for use on earth mid in space. 
This electric power is produced by nuclear reactors4. A nuclear reactor is an advanced type of furnace or a machine which uses uranium or some other atomic fuel to produce heat. This heat is then converted1 into electricity. At present electricity produced by atomic energy is not as cheap as that obtained through conventional8 means. But as the nuclear reactors become more efficient’ and economically, they will be able to produce electricity at much less cost. 
It is hoped that in future huge amounts of electricity will be provided by the nuclear reactors. It is not electricity alone that we can get from the atom. The reactors also make radio-isotopes. These radio-isotopes emit radiation'. They are used in agriculture, medicine and industry. 
The radio-isotope is often called the silent servant of man. Today more than thirty different radio-iSotopes are used for the diagnosis' and treatment of diseases. Many dreadful diseases like cancer are being successfully treated with radio-isotopes.