nuclear reaction
Splitting the atom
A nuclear reaction is any process that changes the structure of an atomic nucleus—splitting it apart (fission), combining nuclei (fusion), or transforming it through particle bombardment.
Nuclear reactions release or absorb enormous energy compared to chemical reactions, powering both nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants: The reactor sustains a controlled nuclear reaction.
Emitted helium nuclei
- beta particlesElectrons from radioactive decay
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
isotope · radionuclide · dosimeter · Geiger counter · contamination · irradiation · ionizing · fallout
Fissile nuclear isotope
- plutonium-239Fissile actinide isotope
- splittingDividing into parts
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
- control rodsNeutron-absorbing reactor components
reactor core · moderator · neutron absorption · breeder reactor · subcritical · supercritical · fuel rods · meltdown
Hydrogen isotope with neutron
- tritiumHydrogen's radioactive isotope
- plasmaElectrified matter state
- tokamakPlasma confinement device
- thermonuclearInvolving nuclear fusion heat
ignition · confinement · hydrogen bomb · helium-3 · inertial confinement · magnetic confinement · breakeven · sun
Controlled fission apparatus
- turbineBlade-driven energy converter
- electricityEnergy from charged particles
- megawattsMillion-watt units
- thermalPertaining to warmth
coolant · steam generator · pressurized water · boiling water · grid · baseload · containment · safety systems
Positive nuclear particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- strong forceSubatomic binding interaction
- mass numberProtons and neutrons combined
- atomic numberProton quantity per nucleus
nuclide · cross-section · bombarding · excitation · nucleon · magic numbers · stability · unstable
alpha particles
Emitted helium nuclei
- beta particlesElectrons from radioactive decay
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- radioactive decayUnstable atoms releasing energy
half-life · isotope · radionuclide · dosimeter · Geiger counter · contamination · irradiation · ionizing · fallout · shielding
uranium-235
Fissile nuclear isotope
- plutonium-239Fissile actinide isotope
- splittingDividing into parts
- critical massThreshold for self-sustaining reaction
control rods · reactor core · moderator · neutron absorption · breeder reactor · subcritical · supercritical · fuel rods · meltdown · enrichment
deuterium
Hydrogen isotope with neutron
thermonuclear · ignition · confinement · hydrogen bomb · helium-3 · inertial confinement · magnetic confinement · breakeven · sun · stars
reactor
Controlled fission apparatus
- turbineBlade-driven energy converter
- electricityEnergy from charged particles
- megawattsMillion-watt units
thermal · coolant · steam generator · pressurized water · boiling water · grid · baseload · containment · safety systems · shutdown
proton
Positive nuclear particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- strong forceSubatomic binding interaction
- mass numberProtons and neutrons combined
atomic number · nuclide · cross-section · bombarding · excitation · nucleon · magic numbers · stability · unstable
- nuclear physicsfission, neutron, proton, reactor, atomic number
- reactionsresponse, gasp, wince, flinch, startle
- reactivereactive, excitable, volatile, high-strung, jumpy
- nuclear astrophysicsnucleosynthesis, kilonova, supernovae, core collapse, heavy elements
- particle physicsquark, quarks, lepton, leptons, boson
- Rutherfordalpha particle, transmutation, backscattering, scattering, Geiger
nuclear reactionchemical reaction
Molecular bond rearrangement process
oxidation · burning · mechanical energy · metabolism · photosynthesis
reaction, nuclear, nucleus, nucleate, nuclei, antinuclear, nuclear fission, nucleated, nonnuclear