Nuclear Energy Store - GCSE Physics Definition

Nuclear energy store refers to the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom, which is the central part of the atom containing protons and neutrons. When these particles in the nucleus are rearranged or split, a huge amount of energy is released. This process, known as nuclear fission, is used in power stations to generate electricity. It's important because nuclear energy can produce large amounts of electricity with very small amounts of fuel compared to other energy sources. However, it also produces radioactive waste, which needs to be handled carefully. Nuclei can also fuse and join together to also release energy. This is known as nuclear fusion, and occurs in the Sun and other stars.