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.

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Nuclear energy

Heatup

Energy; Nuclear energy

The rise in temperature of the reactor fuel rods resulting from an increase in the rate of fission in the core.

Heat exchanger

Energy; Nuclear energy

Any device that transfers heat from one fluid (liquid or gas) to another fluid or to the environment.

Gap

Energy; Nuclear energy

The space inside a reactor fuel rod that exists between the fuel pellet and the fuel rod cladding.

Gas centrifuge

Energy; Nuclear energy

A uranium enrichment process used to prepare uranium for use in fabricating fuel for nuclear reactors by separating its isotopes (as gases) based on their slight difference in mass. This process uses ...

Gamma radiation

Energy; Nuclear energy

High-energy, short-wavelength, electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus of an atom. Gamma radiation frequently accompanies emissions of alpha particles and beta particles, and always ...

Fusion reaction

Energy; Nuclear energy

A reaction in which at least one heavier, more stable nucleus is produced from two lighter, less stable nuclei. Reactions of this type are responsible for enormous release of energy, such as the ...

Full forced outage outage

Energy; Nuclear energy

A forced outage that causes a generating unit to be removed from the Committed state (when the unit is electrically connected and generating or pumping) or the Available state (when the unit is ...