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Nuclear energy is simply a term describing any energy associated with atomic reactions. These can be created by people, but they also happen through natural processes. An example of all-natural nuclear energy would be the nuclear fusion process that fuels stars like the sun. In a more practical sense, when most people refer to nuclear energy, they are referring to the human method of harnessing that energy in nuclear power plants. People haven't yet discovered a way to take advantage of nuclear fission, which could potentially be incredibly powerful and highly efficient—they use the nuclear fission process to create energy instead.

In a sense, nuclear fission is the opposite of nuclear fusion. With the nuclear fission process, tiny little particles are thrown at atoms until they break apart and become smaller atoms. Every time this happens, a little bit of energy is released, and other particles are also released that continue to break apart the smaller atoms. This process goes on and on, creating a domino effect and continually building more and more heat. In nuclear fusion, small atoms come together and bigger atoms are formed, which releases massive quantities of energy.