20 Terms
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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
Electrical generator
Energy; Nuclear energy
An electromagnetic device that converts mechanical (rotational) energy into electrical energy. Most large electrical generators are driven by steam or water turbine systems.
Fast neutron
Energy; Nuclear energy
A neutron with kinetic energy greater than its surroundings when released during fission.
Extremities
Energy; Nuclear energy
The hands, forearms, elbows, feet, knees, leg below the knees, and ankles. Permissible radiation exposures in these regions are generally greater than those for whole body exposure because the ...
Fast fission
Energy; Nuclear energy
Fission of a "heavy" atom (such as uranium-238) when it absorbs a fast (high energy) neutron. Most fissionable materials need slow (thermal) neutrons in order to fission.
External radiation
Energy; Nuclear energy
Exposure to ionising radiation when the radiation source is located outside the body.
Exposure
Energy; Nuclear energy
Absorption of ionising radiation or ingestion of a radioisotope. Acute exposure is a large exposure received over a short period of time. Chronic exposure is exposure received over a long period of ...
Excursion
Energy; Nuclear energy
A sudden, very rapid rise in the power level of a reactor caused by supercriticality. Excursions are usually quickly suppressed by the moderator temperature coefficient, the fuel temperature ...
