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

Combined licence (COL)

Energy; Nuclear energy

An NRC-issued licence that authorises a licensee to construct and (with certain specified conditions) operate a nuclear power plant at a specific site, in accordance with established laws and ...

Cosmic radiation

Energy; Nuclear energy

A source of natural background radiation, which originates in outer space and is composed of penetrating ionising radiation (both particulate and electromagnetic). The sun and stars send a constant ...

Core melt accident

Energy; Nuclear energy

An event or sequence of events that result in the melting of part of the fuel in the reactor core.

Core damage frequency

Energy; Nuclear energy

An expression of the likelihood that, given the way a reactor is designed and operated, an accident could cause the fuel in the reactor to be damaged.

Core

Energy; Nuclear energy

The central portion of a nuclear reactor, which contains the fuel assemblies, moderator, neutron poisons, control rods, and support structures. The reactor core is where fission takes place.

Cooling tower

Energy; Nuclear energy

A heat exchanger designed to aid in the cooling of water that was used to cool exhaust steam exiting the turbines of a power plant. Cooling towers transfer exhaust heat into the air instead of into a ...

Cooldown

Energy; Nuclear energy

The gradual decrease in reactor fuel rod temperature caused by the removal of heat from the reactor coolant system after the reactor has been shutdown.