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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| the splitting of a 235U atom into two smaller atoms |
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Term
| when a neutron is absorbed by a 235U nucleus |
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Definition
| that nucleus becomes unstable and undergoes fission and releases heat and more neutrons |
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Term
| fission at a high 235U concentration could result in |
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Definition
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| amplifying reaction requires an average of more than |
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Definition
| one neutron from each fission event hits another 235U nucleus and stimulates a fission event |
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| at the right concentration an average of only |
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Definition
| one neutron stimulates a subsequent fission |
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Term
| when you have the right concentration to stimulate only one subsequent fission the excess neutrons are absorbed by |
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Definition
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Term
| sustaining nuclear reaction |
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Definition
| controlled nuclear reaction where excess neutrons are absorbed by non-fissle nuclei |
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Term
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Definition
| (of a nuclide) capable of undergoing fission induced by low-energy neutrons, as uranium 233 and 235. |
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Term
| how do you control the rate of nuclear fission |
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Definition
| inserting control rods that absorb neutrons between fuel rods |
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Term
| by inserting control rods that absorb reactions you are maintaining a |
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Definition
| sustaining reaction and a constant level of energy is produced |
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Term
| water circulated in the reaction chamber picks up the |
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Definition
| heat before passing through a heat exchanger |
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Term
| reaction-chamber water is contaminated so |
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Definition
| it is restricted to the containment sturcture |
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Term
| in nuclear power plants heat is transferred to water which is turned into |
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Definition
| steam which drives turbogenerator which creates electricity |
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Term
| 4 concerns about nuclear power |
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Definition
| 1. radiation 2. disposal of radioactive wastes 3. accidents 4. environmental concerns |
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Term
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Definition
| depending on the level of exposure to the radioisotopes, may lead to short-term health problems |
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Term
| disposal of radioactive wastes |
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Definition
| there is no universally agreed upon means of safely handling long term radioactive wastes |
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Term
| come radioisotopes can be toxic for |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| in PA; no health effects; 1st real incident; small radiation released; operator error; the plant/part of plant has been shut down since |
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Definition
| ukraine; huge deal; operator error; steam explosion; testing to see how much the machine can handle; gasses released; found in sweden and elsewhere; people had to evacuate |
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Term
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Definition
| 2011; plant was by an ocean and a tsumani hit; not operator error; machine wasn't able to handle a double error; the tsunami shut off the electricity to the emergency turn off |
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Term
| similar to fossil fuels uranium ore is |
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Definition
| a crustal resource with similar problems of extraction and use |
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Term
| because of accidents and environmental concerns |
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Definition
| there is not much interest in expanding nuclear power |
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Term
| 3 positives of nuclear power |
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Definition
| 1. best option for replacing FF/already developed in places 2. a large supply of fuel 3. potential for energy for billions of years |
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Term
| the supply of 235U in natural uranium |
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Definition
| is good for well over 100 years |
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Term
| with breeder reactors the US can |
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Definition
| have plenty of energy for billions of years to come |
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Term
| two options for the future of energy |
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Definition
| bullish on renewables or continue to have FF dominate and renewables remain small fraction |
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Term
| both projections for the future of energy |
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Definition
| predict a steady rise in the total energy budget |
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Term
| an appropriate response to the future of energy would be |
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Definition
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Term
| high prices encourage or coerce conservation but US citizens object to |
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Definition
| government manipulation of energy prices unless energy is made cheaper |
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Term
| with conservation we would draw down FFs more slowly and thus |
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Definition
| have more time to develop alternative energy technologies with out an energy catastrophe |
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Term
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Definition
| A breeder reactor is a nuclear reactor capable of generating more fissile material than it consumes[1 |
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Term
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Definition
| A breeder reactor is a nuclear reactor capable of generating more fissile material than it consumes[1 |
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Term
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Definition
| In nuclear engineering, a fissile material is one that is capable of sustaining a chain reaction of nuclear fission. |
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