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

fuel pellets

Energy; Nuclear energy

The Uranium fuel for nuclear reactors in the form of ceramic cylinders about one-half of an inch long and three-eighths of an inch in diameter. These "pellets" are stacked in long tubes to form fuel ...

pressurized water reactor (PWR)

Energy; Nuclear energy

A reactor designed in which water flowing through the reactor is heated by nuclear energy but is kept at high pressure to keep the water from boiling. This heated water then transfers its heat to a ...

radiation

Energy; Nuclear energy

In nuclear energy jargon, "radiation" is often used as shorthand for "ionizing radiation": particles (alpha, beta, neutrons) or rays (gamma) emitted from the nucleus of an unstable radioactive atom ...

radon

Energy; Nuclear energy

A naturally occurring radioactive gas formed when the element radium decays.

reactor vessel

Energy; Nuclear energy

A device in which nuclear fission may be sustained and controlled in a self-supporting nuclear reaction. It houses the core (made up of fuel rods, control rods, and instruments contained within a ...