Chapter 15 Vocab Flashcards

1
Q

Fusion

A

Joining together of to two light atoms into a heavier one.

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2
Q

Isotopes

A

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.

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3
Q

Mass Number

A

The number that accompanies the chemical name or symbol of an element or isotope. Represents the # of neutrons and protons in the atom

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4
Q

Fission Products

A

Atoms and subatomic particles resulting from nuclear fission taking place in nuclear reactors or explosion.

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5
Q

Chain Reaction

A

A nuclear reaction wherein each atom that splits causes one or more additional atoms to split or fission

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6
Q

Yellowcake

A

Uranium ore that has been partially purified and is ready for further purification and enrichment

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7
Q

Enrichment

A

The separation and concentration of uranium 235 so that it will sustain a chain reaction

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8
Q

Moderator

A

any material that slows down neutrons from fission reactions, so the neutrons can trigger another fission

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9
Q

Fuel elements

A

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

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10
Q

Control Rods

A

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

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11
Q

Boiling Water reactor

A

employs boiling water to create steam that turns turbines in generators to create electricity

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12
Q

Pressurized water reactor

A

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

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13
Q

Loss of coolant Accident

A

situation which causes loss of water around the reactor resulting in overheating and possible meltdown

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14
Q

Meltdown

A

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)

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15
Q

Radio isotopes

A

isotope of an element that is unstable and gives off radiation

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16
Q

Fission

A

the separation of one heavy element to create two lighter elements

17
Q

Curie

A

unit of measurement of radioactivity

18
Q

Radioactive emissions

A

any of various forms of radiation or particles that may be given off by unstable isotopes

19
Q

High-Level wastes

A

direct products of fission that are highly radioactive

20
Q

Low-Level wastes

A

radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants that aren’t as radioactive as high-level wastes and are easier to manage

21
Q

Radioactive Decay

A

reduction of radioactivity that occurs as an unstable isotope gives off radiation, ultimately becoming stable

22
Q

Half-Life

A

length of time is takes for half of an unstable isotope to decay

23
Q

Reprocessing

A

recovery of radioactive materials from nuclear reactors, and the conversion of those materials into useful nuclear fuel

24
Q

Nuclear Waste Policy Act 1982

A

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

25
Q

Megatons to megawats

A

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

26
Q

Active safety

A

operator controlled safety features

27
Q

Passive Safety

A

automatic safety features

28
Q

Advanced boiling water reactors

A

3rd gen reactor, passive safety.

29
Q

Economic Simplified boiling water reactor

A

like 3rd gen but more passive safety features, not in production or use yet

30
Q

Ap1000 Advanced Passive Reactor

A

pressurized water reactor, with new safety features in use but very few

31
Q

Embrittlement

A

becoming brittle. mainly reactor vessel gradually becoming prone to breakage

32
Q

Corrosion

A

deterioration of pipes receiving hot, pressurized water in a circulation system

33
Q

Energy policy act of 2005

A

tax credit for first 6,000Mw of electricity for first eight years of production

34
Q

Energy independence and security act of 2007

A

addressed nuclear power only tangentially