Nucleus

Nucleus

The small, central, positively charged region of an atom. Except for the nucleus of ordinary hydrogen, which has only a proton, all atomic nuclei contain both protons and neutrons. The number of protons determines the total positive charge or atomic number. This number is the same for all the atomic nuclei of a given chemical element. The total number of neutrons and protons is called the mass number.

This is auto-generated content. You can help to improve it.

0 0

Improve it

Add an image

Part of Speech: noun
Synonym(s):
Blossary:
Industry/Domain: Energy
Category: Nuclear energy
Company: U.S. NRC
Product:
Acronym-Abbreviation:

Collect to Blossary

Other Languages:

Related terms

nucleus

Biology; Parasitology

A spheroid body within the protoplasm of a cell, distinguished from the rest of the cell by its dense structure and presence of chromatin. The nucleus controls growth, cell ...

nucleus

Biology; Neuroscience

Collection of nerve cells in the brain that are anatomically discrete, and which typically serve a particular function.

nucleus

Weather; Meteorology

1. The positively charged core of an atom about which its electrons orbit. Almost all the mass of an atom resides in its nucleus, the diameter of which is about 10 4 times ...

nucleus

Energy; Nuclear energy

The small, central, positively charged region of an atom. Except for the nucleus of ordinary hydrogen, which has only a proton, all atomic nuclei contain both protons and ...

nucleus

Natural environment; Coral reefs

A central cell structure that contains the chromosomes, and as such, controls the activities of the cell; the center of an atom, containing protons, neutrons, and most of the ...

nucleus

Medical devices; Radiology equipment

The central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons. The nucleus is the heaviest part of the atom.

alpha particle

Energy; Nuclear energy

A positively charged particle ejected spontaneously from the nuclei of some radioactive elements. It is identical to a helium nucleus that has a mass number of 4 and an ...

attenuation

Energy; Nuclear energy

The process by which the number of particles or photons entering a body of matter is reduced by absorption and scattered radiation.

binding energy

Energy; Nuclear energy

The minimum energy required to separate the nucleus of an atom into its component neutrons and protons.

chain reaction

Energy; Nuclear energy

A reaction that initiates its own repetition. In a fission chain reaction, a fissionable nucleus absorbs a neutron and fissions spontaneously, releasing additional neutrons. ...

condenser

Energy; Nuclear energy

A large heat exchanger designed to cool exhaust steam from a turbine below the boiling point so that it can be returned to the heat source as water. In a pressurized-water ...

annual limit on intake (ALI)

Energy; Nuclear energy

As defined in Title 10, Section 20.1003, of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 20.1003), ALI is the derived limit for the amount of radioactive material taken into the body ...