Unit 8: Nuclear Power

nuclear energy

Energy released when an atom is split (fission) or combines with another to form a new atom (fusion)

Nuclear Fission

a nuclear reaction that occurs when a neutron strikes the nucleus of an atom and breaks it into two or more parts

Radioactive

atoms that spontaneously emit subatomic particles and/or energy

radioactive half-life

the time it takes for half of the radioactive isotopes in a sample to decay to a new form

fuel rods

hollow metal cylinders filled with uranium fuel pellets for use in fission reactors

control rods

rods that absorb neutrons and slow the fission chain reaction

Nuclear Fusion

Process of joining atoms resulting in the release of energy

Nuclear waste

radioactive waste material produced by nuclear power plants

nuclear chain reaction

the continued process of atoms splitting and releasing neutrons that trigger more atoms to split

Nuclear Reactor

consists of a core, control rods, moderator, steam generator, turbine, containment building.

Chernobyl

nuclear power plant that had an explosion in 1986 & released radioactive materials into the air

Heat

Nuclear power plants use this to boil water and produce steam to generate electricity