nuclear energy
Splitting atoms' yield
Nuclear energy is the energy released when atomic nuclei split (fission) or combine (fusion).
Most commonly it refers to electricity generated by nuclear power plants, which use controlled fission reactions: France gets most of its electricity from nuclear energy.
The term sometimes appears in debates about clean energy, since nuclear plants produce no carbon emissions during operation but generate radioactive waste.
Controlled fission apparatus
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- electricity generationCreating electrical current industrially
power plant · chain reaction · control rods · coolant · turbine · steam generator · fuel rods · spent fuel
Fission-triggered mass destruction device
- hydrogen bombThermonuclear fusion weapon
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
- warheadMunition's explosive section
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
ICBM · proliferation · deterrence · arms race · nonproliferation · enrichment · megaton · fallout
Uncharged subatomic particles
- isotopesAtomic number twins
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
decay · radiation · alpha particles · beta particles · gamma rays · atom · protons · moderator
Protective barrier against emissions
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- dosimeterExposure measurement device
- exposureState of being unprotected
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
Geiger counter · protective equipment · evacuation zone · IAEA · regulatory · inspection · safeguards · emergency protocol
reactor
Controlled fission apparatus
electricity generation · power plant · chain reaction · control rods · coolant · turbine · steam generator · fuel rods · spent fuel · enrichment
atomic bomb
Fission-triggered mass destruction device
- hydrogen bombThermonuclear fusion weapon
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
- warheadMunition's explosive section
missile · ICBM · proliferation · deterrence · arms race · nonproliferation · enrichment · megaton · fallout · blast radius
neutrons
Uncharged subatomic particles
- isotopesAtomic number twins
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
half-life · decay · radiation · alpha particles · beta particles · gamma rays · atom · protons · moderator · cross-section
radiation shielding
Protective barrier against emissions
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- dosimeterExposure measurement device
- exposureState of being unprotected
contamination · Geiger counter · protective equipment · evacuation zone · IAEA · regulatory · inspection · safeguards · emergency protocol · cleanup
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- clean energysolar power, solar, wind power, wind, solar panels
- Nuclearatomic bomb, atomic bombs, uranium, reactors, fission
- French economyGDP, euro, deficit, trade deficit, VAT
- green energywind power, solar power, renewables, solar farm, solar panel
- industriesbusiness, factories, education, health, supply chain
nuclear energyfossil fuels
Combustible prehistoric organic deposits
coal power · coal · natural gas · oil · petroleum
nuclear energyrooftop solar
Home-installed sun-power system
home solar · solar panels · micro-hydro · wind turbines · manual labor
nuclear energymanual labor
Work done bodily
human power · muscle power · simple machines · water wheel · windmill
energy, energetic, nuclear, nucleus, nucleate, intracellular, nuclide, antinuclear, nonnuclear