Essay on Nuclear Energy Nuclear Medicine Essay

1. Essay on Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy
Nuclear Power and its uses is a growing discussion in today's era of technology. Australia is one of
the developed countries where the demands of energy resources are increasing rapidly. Nuclear
energy is coming up as a great alternative, but various factors support as well as oppose its growth.
Some countries oppose the usage of nuclear energy because of the problems associated with its
usage. Production and Maintenance of nuclear power is very expensive. Nuclear power is viewed as
too dangerous, uneconomical, and not required. Although, nuclear energy has a potential hazard, but
it is reliable in terms of efficiency, environmental impact and cost when compared with other sources
of energy. Therefore, the increase in the...show more content...
Though renewable sources of energy are reliable but their output greatly depends on the
environment. For example, cloudy days have no solar gain, hence no solar energy production. Quiet
days mean no wind blows to drive wind turbines. Dams are primarily for flood control, so
hydroelectricity production varies as dam water levels fluctuate.
Considering the case of Aswan Dam in Egypt not only caused thousands to loose their homes and
lives but also ceased the fertile surrounding because of the yearly inundation of the Nile. Moreover,
the subsequent silting up for the river destroyed much wildlife.
Due to Thermal Power Generation, 2500 million tons of coal each year is consumed to produce
38% of the electricity, While 61,000 tons of Natural Uranium will be used to generate the same
amount of energy (World Nuclear Association, 2005) .
Secondly, nuclear energy source has a weak impact on environment than the Non–renewable
resources. There is no doubt that use of fossil fuels leads to global warming. While, the amount of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was only 0.028% five decades ago, now, as per American
Petroleum Institute (1998) estimates it reached 0.036%. Additionally, burning of fossil fuels,
especially coal, oil, and natural gases are the main causes for increase in pollution; especially air
pollution. Several hazardous pollutants are produced by fossil fuels combustion: Carbon Monoxide,
Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and
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2. Nuclear Medicine Essay
Nuclear Medicine is the use of radioisotopes for diagnosis, treatment, and research. Radioactive
chemical tracers emit gamma rays which provides diagnostic information about a person's anatomy
and the functioning of specific organs. Radioisotopes are also utilizes in treatments of diseases such
as cancer. It is estimated that approximately one in two people in Western countries are likely to
experience the benefits of nuclear medicine in their lifetime.
To understand what a radioactive isotope is a basic understanding of the atom is necessary. Atoms
are comprised of three subatomic particles : protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons and neutrons
bind together to form the nucleus of the atom, while the electrons surround and orbit the...show more
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It is interesting to note that Carbon–14 is radioactive while Carbon–12 and Carbon–13 are stable.
In nuclear medicine diagnosing techniques, a very small amount of radioactive material is
introduced into the body. Because medical isotopes are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues,
the emissions they produce can provide crucial information about a particular type of cancer or
disease. Information gathered during a nuclear medicine technique is more comprehensive than
other imaging procedures because it describes organ function, not just structure. The result is that
many diseases and cancers can be diagnosed much earlier.
Nuclear medicine procedures utilize very small doses of short–lived isotopes (ones that only stay
radioactive for a few hours or days), the amount of radiation received is generally less than or equal
to that of an x–ray. Whole body and healthy tissue doses can be minimized while the radioisotope is
targeted toward the affected tissue or organ. The isotope is then eliminated by the body through the
urine or fecal matter.
During the last decade, major progress has been made in the treatment of disease with
radioisotopes. Treatments involving the use of medical isotopes are gaining momentum in the race
against many types of cancer. FDA approved and highly promising therapies are doubling every 3
to 4 years. Some researchers predict that over 80% of cancer types should be treatable with
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