nuclear power
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nuclear power
Energy that is released through nuclear fission or nuclear fusion and used technologically, especially to generate electricity. It is often used synonymously with nuclear energy.
Der Ausstieg aus der Atomkraft ist in Deutschland ein politisch intensiv diskutiertes Thema.
The phase-out of nuclear power is an intensely debated political issue in Germany.
The word 'Atomkraft' (nuclear power) is a compound of 'das Atom' (the atom) and 'die Kraft' (power/force). So it literally means 'the power from the atom'.
Atomkraft kann riesige Mengen an Energie erzeugen.
Nuclear power can generate huge amounts of energy.
The word is very often used in political discussions. A key phrase in Germany is 'der Ausstieg aus der Atomkraft' (the phase-out of nuclear power). People also often speak of 'Befürwortern' (supporters) and 'Gegnern' (opponents) of nuclear power.
Die Regierung hat den Ausstieg aus der Atomkraft beschlossen.
The government decided on the phase-out of nuclear power.
Common verbs in connection with nuclear power are 'nutzen' (to use), 'erzeugen' (to generate), or 'abschalten' (to shut down). The word 'Atomkraftwerk' (nuclear power plant, abbreviated AKW) is also often used; it is the place where the energy is generated.
Einige Länder planen, neue Atomkraftwerke zu bauen, um Energie zu erzeugen.
Some countries are planning to build new nuclear power plants in order to generate energy.
nuclear energy
'Atomkraft' and 'Kernenergie' mean almost the same thing in many situations: energy from atomic nuclei, especially for generating electricity. 'Atomkraft' sounds very common in everyday language and political discussions, for example in questions for or against this form of energy. 'Kernenergie' sounds a bit more technical or neutral and fits well in texts about technology, energy, or science. Learners can easily confuse the words because they are often interchangeable. The main difference is style: in conversation, people often say 'Atomkraft'; in factual texts, often 'Kernenergie'.
Im Kurs hat Sofia erklärt, warum viele Menschen über Atomkraft streiten.
In the course, Sofia explained why many people argue about nuclear power.
Der Bericht beschreibt, wie Kernenergie in Kraftwerken zur Stromerzeugung genutzt wird.
The report describes how nuclear energy is used in power plants to generate electricity.