Compare the energy released by burning 1 kilogram of coal to that released by fission of 1 kilogram of uranium _235
The energy released by burning 1 kilogram of coal and the energy released by the fission of 1 kilogram of uranium-235 differ significantly.
1. Burning 1 kilogram of coal:
The energy content of coal can vary, but on average, it releases approximately 24 million joules per kilogram when burned. This energy is released through combustion, where carbon and other components of coal react with oxygen in the air to produce heat.
2. Fission of 1 kilogram of uranium-235:
Uranium-235 is a fissile isotope, meaning it can undergo nuclear fission. When a nucleus of uranium-235 absorbs a neutron, it becomes unstable and splits into two smaller nuclei, along with releasing several high-energy neutrons. This process releases an enormous amount of energy. On average, the fission of 1 kilogram of uranium-235 can release around 24 million million joules (24 terajoules) of energy.
Comparing the two, the energy released by fissioning 1 kilogram of uranium-235 is approximately a million times greater than burning 1 kilogram of coal. This is one of the reasons uranium-based nuclear power is highly efficient and widely used for electricity generation, despite concerns regarding radioactive waste disposal and safety.