Chapter 15 Vocab Flashcards
Fusion
Joining together of to two light atoms into a heavier one.
Isotopes
a form of an element in which the atoms have more or less than the usual number of neutrons. Same chemical properties but differ in mass.
Mass Number
The number that accompanies the chemical name or symbol of an element or isotope. Represents the # of neutrons and protons in the atom
Fission Products
Atoms and subatomic particles resulting from nuclear fission taking place in nuclear reactors or explosion.
Chain Reaction
A nuclear reaction wherein each atom that splits causes one or more additional atoms to split or fission
Yellowcake
Uranium ore that has been partially purified and is ready for further purification and enrichment
Enrichment
The separation and concentration of uranium 235 so that it will sustain a chain reaction
Moderator
any material that slows down neutrons from fission reactions, so the neutrons can trigger another fission
Fuel elements
the Pellets of uranium or other fissionable material that are placed in fuel rods, and along with the control rods, form the core of the nuclear reactor
Control Rods
Rods of neutron absorbing material that are inserted or removed as necessary to control the rate of nuclear fission inside a reactor. form part of the core of a nuclear reactor
Boiling Water reactor
employs boiling water to create steam that turns turbines in generators to create electricity
Pressurized water reactor
one loop: water is heated in the reactor but does not boil,
second loop: pressurized water is circulated through a heat exchanger where it boils other unpressurized water that then produces steam to drive the turbogenerator
Loss of coolant Accident
situation which causes loss of water around the reactor resulting in overheating and possible meltdown
Meltdown
loss of water or coolant causes the nuclear reactor to melt from its own heat. and can cause problems to its surrounding areas by spreading radiation (chernobyl)
Radio isotopes
isotope of an element that is unstable and gives off radiation
Fission
the separation of one heavy element to create two lighter elements
Curie
unit of measurement of radioactivity
Radioactive emissions
any of various forms of radiation or particles that may be given off by unstable isotopes
High-Level wastes
direct products of fission that are highly radioactive
Low-Level wastes
radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants that aren’t as radioactive as high-level wastes and are easier to manage
Radioactive Decay
reduction of radioactivity that occurs as an unstable isotope gives off radiation, ultimately becoming stable
Half-Life
length of time is takes for half of an unstable isotope to decay
Reprocessing
recovery of radioactive materials from nuclear reactors, and the conversion of those materials into useful nuclear fuel
Nuclear Waste Policy Act 1982
law that committed the feds to begin receiving nuclear wastes from commercial power plants by 1998. this has not happened yet, we don’t know where to put the wastes
Megatons to megawats
exchange program b/w russia and US whereby weapons-grade uranium from Russia is diluted to produce power-plant uranium that is used in US powerplants
Active safety
operator controlled safety features
Passive Safety
automatic safety features
Advanced boiling water reactors
3rd gen reactor, passive safety.
Economic Simplified boiling water reactor
like 3rd gen but more passive safety features, not in production or use yet
Ap1000 Advanced Passive Reactor
pressurized water reactor, with new safety features in use but very few
Embrittlement
becoming brittle. mainly reactor vessel gradually becoming prone to breakage
Corrosion
deterioration of pipes receiving hot, pressurized water in a circulation system
Energy policy act of 2005
tax credit for first 6,000Mw of electricity for first eight years of production
Energy independence and security act of 2007
addressed nuclear power only tangentially
