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

Atomic energy

Energy; Nuclear energy

The energy that is released through a nuclear reaction or radioactive decay process. Of particular interest is the process known as fission, which occurs in a nuclear reactor and produces energy ...

Continentality

Energy; Nuclear energy

In climatology, the degree to which a point on the earth's surface is in all respects subject to the influence of a landmass; the opposite of oceanicity (or oceanity). Continentality usually refers ...

Isotopic enrichment

Energy; Nuclear energy

A process by which the relative abundance of the isotopes of a given element are altered, thus producing a form of the element that has been enriched in one particular isotope and depleted in its ...

Iodine spiking factor

Energy; Nuclear energy

The magnitude of a rapid, short-term increase in the appearance rate of radioiodine in the reactor coolant system. This increase is generally caused by a reactor transient that results in a rapid ...

Uranium

Energy; Nuclear energy

A radioactive element with the atomic number 92 and, as found in natural ores, an atomic weight of approximately 238. The two principal natural isotopes are uranium-235 (which comprises 0. 7 percent ...

Unwanted radioactive material (orphan sources)

Energy; Nuclear energy

Refers to sealed sources of radioactive material contained in a small volume (but not radioactively contaminated soils and bulk metals) in any one or more of the following conditions (taken from the ...

Unrestricted area

Energy; Nuclear energy

The area outside the owner-controlled portion of a nuclear facility (usually the site boundary). An area in which a person could not be exposed to radiation levels in excess of 2 millirems in any one ...