the energy story
nuclear energy - fission and fusion


another major form of energy is nuclear energy, the energy that is trapped inside each atom. one of the laws of the universe is that matter and energy cant be created nor destroyed. but they can be changed in form.
matter can be changed into energy. the famous scientist albert einstein created the mathematical formula that explains this. it is
e mc2
this equation says
e energy equals m mass times c2 c stands for the speed of light. c2 means c times c, or the speed of light raised to the second power -- or c-squared.

scientists used einsteins famous equation as the key to unlock atomic energy and also create atomic bombs.
the ancient greeks said the smallest part of nature is an atom. but they did not know 2,000 years ago about natures even smaller parts.
atoms are made up of smaller particles -- a nucleus of protons and neutrons, surrounded by el...