Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy refers to the controlled use of the processes of splitting atoms (fission) and fusing atoms (fusion) in order to create energy. This page details how the processes work and the use of it in throughout the world history of Surface.
Process
Fission
a neutron is shot at an unstable nucleus, which splits into smaller parts that release additional neutrons that continue the process in an exponential manner, releasing energy in the process yadda yadda.
Until 1920, physicists deemed it impossible to control the nuclear chain reaction in order to create a stable energy source. Instead, the unpredictable and exponential nature of the process, and the lack of any method of to control the process once started, made it only possible to be used in experimental weaponry.
This was demonstrated in 1857, which saw the first and only detonation of a nuclear weapon in the history of Surface. This led to the creation of The Atomic Council, a joint international organisation aimed towards preventing the creation of nuclear weaponry, and, since 1920, to supervise research and operation of safe nuclear energy.
Fusion
not yet attainable btw
Gen I and II reactors
they're nuclear reactors
Gen III reactors
Gen III reactors refer to nuclear reactors that utilise evolutionary elements or new designs that make them significantly improved in safety, energy output and scale than Gen II reactors.
While several reactor designs have been proposed, the only one put into commercial operation is a pressurised water reactor design called the EPR. No one is quite sure what it stands for; some scientists claim it's from 'Pressurised Reactor' (which doesn't explain where the E comes from, but some random guy on Sleddit suggested 'Fucking Pressurised Reactor'... on second thought, he might've been dyslexic), while others refer to it as the 'Evolutionary Power Reactor'. The latter is a bit pretentious, but whatever.
Anyway, most nuclear power plants are also pressurised water reactors to begin with, so what's so incredibly different about it beats me. Just imagine it as some super advanced, revolutionary power plant that is better, faster, stronger and harder than those old Gen II reactors.
Trivia
- I stood next to the microwave when I was heating food once and now my mouth tastes fuzzy.
- 'Radioactivity' also happens to be a song made by the famous Radosicus EDM band, 'Imagine Divine'. Haven't mentioned radioactivity anywhere here yet but thought it was worth a mention