The document summarizes information about geothermal and nuclear energy. It provides details on how geothermal energy is harnessed from hot springs and used for electricity generation. It also discusses how nuclear energy works through fission and fusion reactions, and the use of uranium and plutonium in nuclear power plants and weapons. Advantages and disadvantages of both energy sources are outlined.

1. Geothermal and Nuclear Energy

2. Geothermal Energy
 Geothermal energy, sourced from hot springs, has been used
for bathing since Paleolithic times and for heating during the
Roman era.
 However, now it is now better known for electricity generation
 Worldwide, about 10,715 megawatts (MW) of geothermal
power is online in 24 countries.
 An additional 28 Gigawatts of direct geothermal
heating capacity is installed for district heating, space heating
spas, industrial processes, desalination and agricultural
applications

3. What exactly is geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is the thermal energy
generated and stored in the Earth.
Earth's geothermal energy originates
from the original formation of the planet
(20%) and from radioactive decay of
minerals (80%)
Geothermal power plants use the heat
obtained from the earth’s thermal energy
Inside a geothermal plant, the heat energy
is used to heat water into water vapour
and that rotates turbines, thus generating
electricity

4. Recent research in Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is increasingly contributing to
the power supply world wide.
Iceland is the world-leader in expanding
development of geothermal utilization: in recent
years the annual power supply here doubled to
more than 500 MW alone in the supply of
electricity.
Alone in the region of Travale, in Italy, a team of
European scientists have found geothermal
reservoirs, holding a potential comparable to the
effectiveness of 1000 wind power plants.
In Germany also, development is taking place in
the field of geothermal energy. Here,100 MW of
power is currently being provided through
geothermal energy.

5. Advantages and Disadvantages of Geothermal
energy
Advantages Disadvantages
Geothermal energy generally involves Geothermal sites can run out of steam
low running costs since it saves 80% over a period of time due to drop in
costs over fossil fuels and no fuel is temperature or if too much water is
used to generate the power. injected to cool the rocks.
The main advantages of using Since this type of energy is not widely
geothermal energy is that it does not used, the unavailability of equipment,
create any pollution. It has helped in staff, infrastructure, training pose
reducing global warming and hindrance to the installation of
pollution. geothermal plants across the globe.
Governments of various countries are
investing hugely in creation of Geothermal sites may contain some
geothermal energy which on the other poisonous gases which can escape
hand has created more jobs for the deep within the earth, through the
local people. holes drilled by the constructors.

6. Nuclear Power
In 2007, the
Nuclear
Nuclear power is the IAEA reported there
energy provides
use of were 439 nuclear
about 6% of the
sustained nuclear power reactors in
world's energy and
fission to generate operation in the
13–14% of the
heat and electricity. world, operating in
world's electricity.
31 countries.

7. Nuclear reaction is the process in which two nuclei, or else a
nucleus of an atom and a subatomic particle (such as a proton,
neutron, or high energy electron) from outside the atom, collide to
produce products different from the initial particles. The energy
released in the nuclear reaction is called nuclear energy or atomic
energy.
Nuclear energy is produced naturally and in man-made operations
under human control.
Naturally: Some nuclear energy is produced naturally. For example,
the Sun and other stars make heat and light by nuclear reactions
Man-Made: Nuclear energy can be man-made too. Machines called
nuclear reactors, parts of nuclear power plants, provide electricity for
many cities. Man-made nuclear reactions also occur in the explosion
of atomic and hydrogen bombs.
Nuclear energy is produced in two different ways, in one,
large nuclei are split to release energy. In the other method,
small nuclei are combined to release energy.

8. Nuclear Fission
 Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits
into smaller parts, often producing two or three
free neutrons and photons and mass of original atom is converted into
large amount of energy, and releasing a very large amount of energy, in
accordance with the equation E = mc2
Nuclear fission produces energy for nuclear
power and to drive the explosion of nuclear
weapons. In a nuclear weapon, there is
uncontrolled nuclear fission, while in a
reactor, the fission is always monitored.

9. FISSILE ISOTOPES
Fissile isotopes are isotopes of an element
that can be split through fission. Only
certain isotopes of certain elements are
fissile. For example, 239Pu and 232Th.
One isotope of uranium, 235U, is fissile,
while another isotope, 238U, is not fissile.
SPLITTING OF URANIUM
Uranium is the principle element used in nuclear reactors and in certain
types of atomic bombs. The specific isotope used is 235U. When a
stray neutron strikes a 235U nucleus, it is at first absorbed into it. This
creates 236U. 236U is unstable and this causes the atom to fission.
The fissioning of 236U can produce over twenty different products.
However, the products' masses always add up to 236. The following
two equations are examples of the different products that can be
produced when 235U fissions:
235U + 1 neutron 2 neutrons + 92Kr + 142Ba + ENERGY
235U + 1 neutron 2 neutrons + 92Sr + 140Xe + ENERGY

10. Fusion is a nuclear process in which two light nuclei
combine to form a single heavier nucleus.
A large amount of energy is released in fusion
reactions. However, though fusion is an energetically
favourable reaction, it does not occur under standard
conditions here on Earth because of the large energy
requirement.
Fusion reactions have been going on for billions of
years in our universe. In fact, nuclear fusion reactions
are responsible for the energy output of most stars,
including our own Sun.

11. CHAIN REACTION
• A chain reaction is a sequence of
reactions where a reactive product
or by-product causes additional
reactions to take place. In each of
the above reactions, 1 neutron splits
the atom. When the atom is split, 1
additional neutron is released. This
is how a chain reaction works. If
more 235U is present, those 2
neutrons can cause 2 more atoms to
split. Each of those atoms releases 1
more neutron bringing the total
neutrons to 4. Those 4 neutrons can
strike 4 more 235U atoms, releasing
even more neutrons. The chain
reaction will continue until all the
235U fuel is spent. This is roughly
what happens in an atomic bomb. It
is called a runaway nuclear reaction.
Chain reaction of thorium

12. Chain reaction of uranium

13. Nuclear Power in India
(The above picture shows the nuclear reactors currently
operational in India)

14. Nuclear Power in India
Nuclear power is the fourth largest source of electricity
in India after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources of electricity.
As of 2010, India has 20 nuclear reactors in operation in six nuclear
power plants, generating 4,780 MW.
Seven other reactors are under construction and are expected to
generate an additional 5,300 MW.

15. Advantages of Nuclear Energy
• The Earth has limited supplies
of coal and oil. Nuclear power
plants could still produce
electricity after coal and oil
become scarce.
• Nuclear power plants need
less fuel than ones which burn
fossil fuels. One ton of uranium
produces more energy than is
produced by several million
tons of coal or several million
barrels of oil.
• Coal and oil burning plants
pollute the air. Well-operated
nuclear power plants do not
release contaminants into the
environment.

16. Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy
• Nuclear explosions result in large
amounts of radiation. The nuclear
radiation harms the cells of the body
which can make people sick or even
kill them. Illness can strike people
years after their exposure to nuclear
radiation.
• Reactors produce nuclear
waste products which emit
dangerous radiation. Since they can
kill people who touch them, they
cannot be thrown away like ordinary
garbage.
• In nuclear plants, there is a risk of a
meltdown. During a meltdown, the
fission reaction goes out of control,
leading to a nuclear explosion and
the emission of great amounts of
radiation.

17. Major nuclear meltdowns
Three Mile accident- The Three Mile Island accident was a
partial nuclear meltdown which occurred at the Three Mile
Island power plant in Pennsylvania. It resulted in a loss of coolant
and partial core meltdown due to operator errors.
Chernobyl Disaster- One of the worst nuclear accidents to date was
the Chernobyl disaster which occurred in 1986 in Ukraine. This
accident killed 56 people directly, as well as damaging approximately
$7 billion of property. Overheating, steam explosion, fire, and
meltdown, necessitating the evacuation of 300,000 people from Kiev
and dispersing radioactive material across Europe .
Fukushima Daiichi-A tsunami flooded and damaged the 5 active
reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Loss of backup
electrical power led to overheating, meltdowns, and evacuations. 3
reactors underwent a complete meltdown..

18. Recent developments in Nuclear Energy
 Although nuclear power is currently a significant source of global
electricity supply, there is no consensus concerning its future role.
While nuclear power stagnates in much of Europe and in North
America, it continues as a strong option in some Asian countries
 Although there is debate about its use, nuclear energy is eco
friendly as decommissioning it does not involve environmental
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
 A newly discovered form of uranium, uranium nitride, could lead to
a nuclear power plant small enough to fit in your car and eventually
even power it
 India has also sought to build new nuclear plants, so as to meet its
massive energy needs