Atomic energy

Atomic energy is energy produced by atoms.

• Nuclear energy, the energy resulting from potential differences in the nuclear force
• Nuclear reaction, a process in which nuclei or nuclear particles interact, resulting in products different from the initial ones; see also nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
• Nuclear power, the use of nuclear reactions to produce electricity in nuclear reactors.
• Radioactive decay, the set of various processes by which unstable atomic nuclei (nuclides) emit subatomic particles
• The energy of inter-atomic or chemical bonds, which holds atoms together in compounds.

The term originated in 1903 when Ernest Rutherford began to speak of the possibility of atomic energy.^[1]The term was popularized by H. G. Wells in the phrase, "splitting the atom", devised at a time prior to the discovery of the nucleus.

References

See also

• Index of environmental articles