Unit 6: (6.6) Nuclear Energy

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14 Terms

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Radioactivity

The spontaneous emission of radiation by an unstable atomic nucleus such as uranium-235.

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Uranium-235

A radioactive isotope used to fuel most nuclear fission reactors.

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Fission

The splitting of an atomic nucleus with neutrons in order to release energy. The energy given off can be used to heat water into steam, to turn a turbine and power an electric generator.

<p>The splitting of an atomic nucleus with neutrons in order to release energy. The energy given off can be used to heat water into steam, to turn a turbine and power an electric generator.</p>
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Reactor core

the thick steel vessel used to contain nuclear fuel rods in a nuclear power plant. Fission reaction occurs here to heat water into steam.

<p>the thick steel vessel used to contain nuclear fuel rods in a nuclear power plant. Fission reaction occurs here to heat water into steam.</p>
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fuel rods

hollow metal cylinders filled with uranium fuel pellets for use in fission reactors. Found in the reactor core.

<p>hollow metal cylinders filled with uranium fuel pellets for use in fission reactors. Found in the reactor core.</p>
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control rods

A cylindrical device inserted between the fuel rods in a nuclear reactor to absorb excess neutrons and slow or stop the fission reaction.

<p>A cylindrical device inserted between the fuel rods in a nuclear reactor to absorb excess neutrons and slow or stop the fission reaction.</p>
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radioactive waste

Materials from a nuclear reaction that emit radiation; therefore, the materials must be safely stored for thousands of years

<p>Materials from a nuclear reaction that emit radiation; therefore, the materials must be safely stored for thousands of years</p>
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spent fuel rods

Fuel rods that no longer contain enough uranium 235 to be used in fission, but are still highly radioactive.

<p>Fuel rods that no longer contain enough uranium 235 to be used in fission, but are still highly radioactive.</p>
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Half-life

length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay

<p>length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay</p>
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Three Mile Island

1979 - A mechanical failure (cooling valve stuck shut) and a human error at this power plant in Pennsylvania combined to cause a partial nuclear meltdown and release of radiation over a 16 mile radius.

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Chernobyl

The nuclear power plant in the Ukraine that suffered two large explosions which released massive amounts of radioactive materials. It is the worst nuclear accident in history.

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Fukushima, Japan

2011; meltdown of three nuclear reactors following a tsunami resulted in the second largest nuclear meltdown in history

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Cooling tower

a tall, open-topped, cylindrical concrete tower, used for cooling water or condensing steam from an industrial process, especially the water used to cool nuclear reactor cores.

<p>a tall, open-topped, cylindrical concrete tower, used for cooling water or condensing steam from an industrial process, especially the water used to cool nuclear reactor cores.</p>
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thermal pollution

A temperature increase in a body of water (often following discharge of hot water used to cool a nuclear reactor core) that can cause low O2 levels and death in aquatic organisms