Nuclear energy

Nuclear energy

Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split a nucleus of an atom into its component parts. The component parts are neutrons and protons, which are collectively called nucleons. The binding energy of nuclei is always a positive number, since all nuclei require net energy to separate them into individual protons and neutrons.

Industry: Energy

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Nuclear energy

NRC

Energy; Nuclear energy

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a U.S. agency chartered to develop and administer rules for regulating commercial nuclear applications (including nuclear power plants, medical and industrial uses).

uranium

Energy; Nuclear energy

A naturally radioactive and very dense element. Mine Uranium contains 0.7 percent of the isotope Uranium-235, needed for fission. Uranium-235 is the principal nuclear fuel material used in today's ...

fuel rod

Energy; Nuclear energy

A long, slender tube that holds the fuel pellets; fuel rods are assembled into bundles called fuel elements or fuel assemblies that are loaded individually into the reactor core.

steam generator

Energy; Nuclear energy

The heat exchanger used in some reactor designs to transfer heat from the primary reactor coolant system to the secondary (steam system).

fission

Energy; Nuclear energy

The splitting of atoms that results in the release of large amounts of energy. Two or three neutrons are usually released during this event. Fission occurs either naturally or when an atom's nucleus ...

fossil fuel

Energy; Nuclear energy

Carbon based fuel resulting from millions of years of biological decay. Coal, oil, and natural gas are the most common examples.

fuel assembly

Energy; Nuclear energy

Assemblies of fuel rods that are placed in the reactor vessel to form the core. Each fuel assembly may contain from approximately 60 to 300 fuel rods.