Nuclear energy Nuclear energy is the energy that is released by reactions within atomic nuclei, through nuclear fission or fusion. Nuclear energy is also called atomic energy (dictionary.com, 2013). Nuclear energy is produced in nuclear power plants. Nuclear power plants create electricity by heating water to create steam. The steam runs a generator that creates electricity. Many types of fuels can be used to create heat and generate steam. Nuclear power plants create heat by splitting atoms. Nuclear power plants use a radioactive element found in rocks called enriched uranium. Enriched uranium is used because when it decomposes in nature it heats the earth's crust. In nuclear power plants, enriched uranium heats water to create steam. Power plants create energy by splitting nuclei within each uranium grain. This process is called nuclear fission (How Energy Works, 2013). Nuclear energy is sometimes considered a renewable energy source. Enriched uranium is a very abundant resource. It is found in most rocks. Despite its abundance, the supply of u...