Revisiting India’s entry onto the nuclear stage

Nuclear reactions are processes that alter the identity of an atomic nucleus. Atoms in itself are incredibly small, and the atomic nucleus occupies less than one ten-trillionth of an atom’s volume, despite containing almost all of its mass. While chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of electrons, nuclear reactions alter protons or neutrons. Be it fission (splitting heavy nuclei) or fusion (combining light nuclei), nuclear reactions are accompanied with the release of tremendous amounts of energy, along with the transmutation of elements. 

It is this energy that countries across the world are trying to tap into. Nuclear power plants are now operating in around 30 countries and the electricity that they generate is slowing inching towards the double digit mark — as a percentage of the world’s total electricity supply.