All nuclear energy generated today is produced from a process called fission, which involves the splitting of the nucleus of a heavy atom (a uranium atom, for example) into two or more lighter nuclei. The fission process isn’t what produces electricity. Instead, this process produces massive amounts of heat which is used to create steam. The steam drives large turbines which rotate electrical generators to produce electricity. The process is virtually identical to energy production from combustible fuels such as coal and natural gas, except that nuclear energy produces steam in a different way.