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

Background radiation

Energy; Nuclear energy

The natural radiation that is always present in the environment. It includes cosmic radiation which comes from the sun and stars, terrestrial radiation which comes from the Earth, and internal ...

Average planar linear heat generation rate (APLGHR

Energy; Nuclear energy

The average value of the linear heat generation rate of all the fuel rods at any given horizontal plane along a fuel assembly (also known as a "fuel bundle" or "fuel element").

Auxiliary feedwater

Energy; Nuclear energy

Backup water supply used during nuclear plant startup and shutdown to supply water to the steam generators during accident conditions for removing decay heat from the reactor.

Auxiliary building

Energy; Nuclear energy

A building at a nuclear power plant, which is frequently located adjacent to the reactor containment structure, and houses most of the auxiliary and safety systems associated with the reactor, such ...

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.

Atomic number

Energy; Nuclear energy

The number of positively charged protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Fission gases

Energy; Nuclear energy

Those fission products that exist in the gaseous state. In nuclear power reactors, this includes primarily the noble gases, such as krypton and xenon.