Responding to Mrs. G's research questions

1. My topic is researching Nuclear Energy, specifically Nuclear Fission, and discussing whether it seems like a good source of energy or bad source of energy. I will evalulate its benefits and negatives by researching its affect on the environment, people, scientists and renewable energy.

2. The most useful thing I have come across in my paper is a sub-page of a UC Davis website called ChemWiki. It completely explains the science behind Nuclear Fission in "reader-friendly" terms. Meaning it isn't a website written by some rambling Nuclear Physisicst, it is created by scientists who know how to write to their readers liking.

3. Based off of the current amount of research I have completed. I think that it would be wise in the best interest of America and other countries to explore Nuclear Energy. As long as we can provide for safe plants, completely eliminate the possibility of a nuclear meltdown, or the mis-use of Nuclear Power, then it would be the cleanest most powerful form of renewable energy we could harness.

4. The one benefit of the topic I have chosen is that although it can be confusing, once I clearly explain the science behind what Nuclear Fission is, how the energy is discovered, and how the reactions are created, the rest of my paper will be understood easily. The only confusing part about Nuclear Energy is the science. For Example, Uranium is the main element that Nuclear Energy is derived from. Uranium is a heavy radioactive element. Uranium occurs in MOST rock forms, and is found just as commonly in the Earth's crust as tin. As found on World Nuclear Organizations website "Like other elements, uranium occurs in several slightly differing forms known as 'isotopes'. These isotopes differ from each other in the number of uncharged particles (neutrons) in the nucleus. Natural uranium as found in the Earth's crust is a mixture largely of two isotopes: uranium-238 (U-238), accounting for 99.3% and uranium-235 (U-235) about 0.7%. The isotope U-235 is important because under certain conditions it can readily be split, yielding a lot of energy. It is therefore said to be 'fissile' and we use the expression 'nuclear fission'." This basic science makes it clear for the reader to understand why Uranium, a base radioactive element, can produce Nuclear Energy.

5. One piece of research I came across that was new to me was the fact that when properly stored and taken care of Nuclear Energy is exponentially cleaner and better for the environment then coal or fossil fuels. This discovery sparked my interest because I immediately questioned why we haven't already switched over to Nuclear Energy completely.