Nuclear power is the use of nuclear reactions that release nuclear energy to generate heat, which most frequently is then used in steam turbines to produce electricity in a nuclear power plant. Nuclear power can be obtained from nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion. Presently, the vast majority of electricity from nuclear power is produced by nuclear fission of elements in the actinide series of the periodic table. Nuclear decay processes are used in niche applications such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators. The possibility of generating electricity from nuclear fusion is still at a research phase with no commercial applications. This article mostly deals with nuclear fission power for electricity generation.

Nuclear energy is the non-conventional source of energy that uses the energy mass equation (E=mc^2) to generate electricity. This equation, formulated by Albert Einstein, states that energy (E) is equal to mass (m) multiplied by the speed of light (c) squared.

How Nuclear Energy Works
Nuclear energy is generated through a process called nuclear fission. In this process, the nucleus of an atom is split into two smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy. This energy is harnessed and used to generate electricity.

The Energy Mass Equation
The energy mass equation, E=mc^2, explains the relationship between energy and mass. According to this equation, a small amount of mass can be converted into a large amount of energy. In the case of nuclear energy, the mass of the atomic nucleus is converted into a tremendous amount of energy.

Nuclear Fission
Nuclear fission occurs when a heavy nucleus, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, is bombarded with neutrons. This bombardment causes the nucleus to become unstable and split into two smaller nuclei, releasing additional neutrons and a large amount of energy.

Energy Release
During nuclear fission, a small amount of mass is converted into a large amount of energy according to the energy mass equation. The released energy is in the form of heat, and this heat is used to produce steam. The steam then drives a turbine connected to a generator, which ultimately produces electricity.

Advantages of Nuclear Energy
1. High Energy Density: Nuclear energy has a high energy density, meaning that a small amount of fuel can produce a large amount of energy.
2. Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Nuclear power plants produce low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel power plants.
3. Continuous Power Generation: Nuclear power plants can operate continuously without interruption, unlike renewable energy sources that depend on weather conditions.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy
1. Radioactive Waste: Nuclear energy produces radioactive waste that needs to be carefully managed and stored for long periods.
2. High Initial Costs: Building and maintaining nuclear power plants can be expensive.
3. Safety Concerns: Accidents at nuclear power plants can have severe consequences, as demonstrated by incidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima.

In conclusion, nuclear energy is a non-conventional source of energy that uses the energy mass equation to generate electricity through nuclear fission. While it offers advantages such as high energy density and low greenhouse gas emissions, it also comes with challenges such as the management of radioactive waste and safety concerns.

Nuclear Energy is conventional as its sources are limited