Nuclear Power

Description:

Nuclear energy has sometimes been called “the double-edged sword of science.” That phrase reflects the fact that nuclear energy can be used for both useful and constructive purposes and for deadly and destructive ends. Indeed, the context in which the world was first introduced to nuclear energy was the latter, when nuclear energy was used to produce the most destructive and terrible weapons the human race had ever seen. Nuclear scientists have always promised the general public that nuclear energy has many potential positive benefits also. Almost certainly, the greatest potential benefit accruing from nuclear energy is the availability of an almost endless and environmentally attractive source of power. The generation of nuclear power, however, also creates issues of safety and radioactive waste. Nuclear Power provides readers with clear and essential information needed to define, understand, and research these important issues.

Each volume of the Viva Library in a Book series is carefully designed to be a first-stop research source on important current issues. Written clearly and carefully so that even the most complex aspects of the topic are easily understandable, the books give the reader the essential information to begin work, plus the research tools needed to delve more deeply into the issue. Each book includes a history of the subject, biographical information on important figures in the field, a complete annotated bibliography, and a carefully designed index-everything the researcher needs to get down to work.