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

As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)

Energy; Nuclear energy

Making every reasonable effort to maintain exposures to ionising radiation as far below the dose limits as practical, consistent with the purpose for which the licenced activity is undertaken, taking ...

Anticipated transient without scram (ATWS)

Energy; Nuclear energy

An ATWS is one of the "worst case" accidents, consideration of which frequently motivates the NRC to take regulatory action. Such an accident could happen if the scram system (which provides a highly ...

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 electrostatic charge of +2. It ...

Annual limit on intake (ALI)

Energy; Nuclear energy

ALI is the derived limit for the amount of radioactive material taken into the body of an adult worker by inhalation or ingestion in a year. ALI is the smaller value of intake of a given radionuclide ...

Airborne radioactivity area

Energy; Nuclear energy

The airborne radioactivity area is a room, enclosure, or area in which airborne radioactive materials, composed wholly or partially of licenced material, exist in concentrations that (1) exceed the ...

Agreement state

Energy; Nuclear energy

A State that has signed an agreement with the NRC authorising the State to regulate certain uses of radioactive materials within the State.

Capacity charge

Energy; Nuclear energy

One of two elements in a two-part pricing method used in capacity transactions (the other element is the energy charge). The capacity charge, sometimes called the demand charge, is assessed on the ...