Chapter 15 Vocabulary Flashcards
Fusion
Two small atoms combine to form a larger atom
Fission
A large atom is split into smaller particles
Isotopes
Atoms of a given element that have different numbers of neutrons
Mass Number
The sum of the number of neutrons and protons in an atom
Enrichment
The process of separating Uranium 235 from Uranium 238
Fuel Rods
Long metal tubes loaded with Uranium 235 pellets
Control Rods
Rods of neutron absorbing material inserted in between fuel rods to prevent amplification
Radioactive Wastes
Materials that become radioactive by absorbing neutron because of the fission process
Radioactive Decay
Is when unstable isotopes eject particles such as neutrons until they are stable
Half Life
The time needed for half of a radioactive isotope to decay
Active Safety
Relies on operator controlled actions, external power, electrical signals etc.
Passive Safety
Involves engineering device structure that limit a reactors ability to go beyond acceptable levels of power
Embrittlement
When neutron bombardment causes become brittled enough that they my crack under thermal stress
Decomissioning
The closing down of a power point
