Nuclear energy is a special kind of energy that comes from the center, or nucleus, of atoms.

When atoms go through a process called nuclear fission, they break apart into smaller pieces. This splitting releases a lot of energy. We can use this energy to create electricity. But there are some big challenges when it comes to using nuclear energy safely.

1. Radioactive Waste: One major problem is dealing with nuclear waste. This waste can stay dangerous for thousands of years. We still have not figured out a safe and long-term way to store it.

2. Safety Concerns: There have been serious accidents at places like Chernobyl and Fukushima. These events show the risks of nuclear power plants. Because of these accidents, many people are scared about using nuclear energy, which can lead to strict rules and regulations.

3. High Costs: Building nuclear power plants costs a lot of money. If there are delays or problems with technology, the costs can increase even more.

4. Limited Resources: The fuel we need for nuclear energy comes from a material called uranium. But uranium is not unlimited, and getting it from the earth can harm the environment.

Possible Solutions:

• Advanced Technology: New inventions, like using thorium as a different type of fuel or creating smaller reactors, could help solve some safety and waste problems.
• Better Waste Management: Scientists are working on smarter ways to contain nuclear waste and even recycle it, which could help with long-term storage issues.

Nuclear energy has a lot of potential. But we need to fix these big challenges before we can use it safely and sustainably.