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.

Industry: Energy

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Nuclear energy

Detector

Energy; Nuclear energy

A material or device that is sensitive to ionising radiation and can display its characteristics and/or produce a signal suitable for measurement or analysis. See also radiation detection instrument.

Design-basis threat (DBT)

Energy; Nuclear energy

A profile of the type, composition, and capabilities of an adversary. The NRC and its licensees use the DBT as a basis for designing safeguards systems to protect against acts of radiological ...

Fissionable material

Energy; Nuclear energy

Commonly used as a synonym for fissile material, this term has been extended to include material that can be fissioned by fast neutrons, such as uranium-238.

Fission products

Energy; Nuclear energy

The nuclei (fission fragments) formed by the fission of heavy elements, plus the nuclide formed by the fission fragments' radioactive decay.

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.

Fissile material

Energy; Nuclear energy

A nuclide that is capable of undergoing fission after capturing low-energy thermal (slow) neutrons. Although sometimes used as a synonym for fissionable material, this term has acquired its ...

Fission (fissioning)

Energy; Nuclear energy

The splitting of an atom, which releases a considerable amount of energy (usually in the form of heat) that can be used to produce electricity. Fission may be spontaneous, but is usually caused by ...