Nuclear Fission Flashcards
What is nuclear fission?
The splitting of a large atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei
Nuclear reactor in order
Left:
Control rods, radiation shielding, pressure vessel, graphite moderator, fuel rods
Right:
Hot coolant, heat exchanger, water circulator, cool coolant, coolant pump
What is the function of control rods
Control rods absorb excess nutrons
What does a moderator do in the nuclear reactor? What is it made of?
A moderator slows down fast moving electron and it is made from graphite.
What does the coolant do in a nuclear reactor? What is it made from?
They remove excess heat, they’re made from water
What do fuel rods do in the nuclear reactor? What are they made from?
Fuel rods capture neutrons, they’re made from uranium
What does shielding do in the nuclear reactor? What is it made from?
Shielding absorb hazardous radiation and it is made from concrete
An example of an unstable nucleus in a nucleus used for nuclear fission
Uranium 235/238 or plutonium
