Energy

What it is

The atom is the matter unit and for a long time it was considered indivisible. Actually, it includes a nucleus (containing protons and neutrons) surrounded by a cloud of electrons distributed over layers corresponding to the different energy levels and from which they can migrate or into which they can crowd causing chemical reactions and the creation of chemical compounds (or substances or products). Each time the atom nuclei undergo a transformation and join to create a larger nucleus (fusion) or split into two or more smaller nuclei (fission) energy is produced. The use of nuclear energy as an energy source is widely debated, especially with reference to the risk of uncontrollable accidents. Nuclear energy can be produced by means of both the nuclear fission (progressive splitting of the nuclei of heavy radioactive elements) and fusion (joining the nuclei of light elements). Of the two reactions, fission is the only one viable for human beings, but it does not exclude the possibility of accidents and the production of radioactive waste. As regards to fusion, it is still impossible. No device has yet been created to contain and maintain hydrogen "confined" for a sufficient time at a very high temperature allowing the aggregation of nuclei.