Connection Across Time: The Power of the Atom

In 1919 Rutherford showed that the atom could be split and by 1944 seven subatomic particles were identified. During WWII, the atomic bomb was invented after learning that the neutron could be split and chain reactions of unimaginable force was in fact possible. Today we are still worried about the prospect of nuclear warfare and we have invented even bigger bombs than before. However, we are also entering an age of nuclear energy. In fact most of France's energy needs are supplied by nuclear energy. I find that it is amazing how we have evolved in the area of the atom. We at first learned to release the energy within a neutron to destroy things but now we can capture that energy and use it for our own purposes. Because nonrenewable fuels such as gas are running out, nuclear power is a very plausible and efficient way to capture energy. Some day we might even have to rely on nuclear energy entirely as the rest of our fuel sources are depleted.