How to help your friends actually understand nuclear fission
Many of us have a mental model of power generation based on combustion. The internal combustion engine powers cars, trucks and airplanes. Combustion turbines are also used to generate electricity at natural gas plants. All of these devices require...
Ensuring the white glove treatment each and every day
No matter where you get your electricity, there is a fuel source involved. With solar, the light is collected with photovoltaics to create energy. Fossil-fuel plants burn gas. Nuclear is a bit different: Nuclear plants don’t burn anything to generate...
Fission vs. Fusion – What’s the Difference?
Look up during the day to see one of the most powerful examples of a nuclear reactor: the sun. Inside the sun, fusion reactions take place at very high temperatures and enormous gravitational pressures
The foundation of nuclear energy is harnessing the...
What you need to know about the different types of nuclear reactors
Editor's note: This article was originally published on March 27, 2012. It has been revised, updated and republished.
Nuclear energy accounts for almost 50% of the Carolinas electricity with zero carbon emissions.Through the fission process, our highly...
Learn the basics of a nuclear reactor with candy
Many people don’t have the chance to see the inside of a nuclear plant. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn how one works. Learn the basics of nuclear energy, then watch the video below to discover how to make your own edible candy reactor.
The ABCs of nuclear energy
While nuclear energy is not nearly as simple as learning our ABCs, it’s not as mysterious as you might think. In honor of Nuclear Science Week, we’re breaking down some common nuclear energy concepts to help you learn more about it.
One thing not to be afraid of this Halloween? Nuclear energy
What scares you? Heights? Spiders? Small spaces? Fortunately, nuclear energy is nothing to be afraid of.