nuclear reactor
Atomic power source
A nuclear reactor is a device that sustains and controls nuclear fission—the splitting of atomic nuclei—to generate heat, typically for producing electricity or powering ships.
The core contains fuel rods, usually uranium, and control rods regulate the reaction rate.
Reactors require elaborate cooling systems to prevent meltdown: The nuclear reactor at Chernobyl catastrophically overheated in 1986.
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- neutronsUncharged subatomic particles
- uraniumElement ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
critical mass · criticality · isotopes · moderator · cross-section · radioactive decay · atom · proton
Encased fissile material tubes
- control rodsNeutron-absorbing reactor components
- coolantTemperature-regulating fluid
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- coreCentral essential portion
steam generator · pressure vessel · cooling tower · heat exchanger · pump · turbine · condenser · cladding
Energy from charged particles
- megawattsMillion-watt units
- gigawattsBillion-watt units
- baseloadMinimum continuous power demand
- energy outputWork produced over time
steam · turbine · generator · efficiency · transmission · kilowatts · heat · power plant
Producing charged particles
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- beta particlesElectrons from radioactive decay
- radioactivitySpontaneous nuclear decay
dosimeter · contamination · half-life · shielding · exposure · rem · rad · radiation monitoring
Liquid under force
- boiling waterH2O at 212°F
- breederOne who raises stock
- molten saltIonic substance heated liquid
- thoriumActinide, atomic number ninety
heavy water · sodium-cooled · fusion reactor · tokamak · experimental
Preventing hostile expansion
- backup powerSecondary electrical source
- regulatoryInvolving official oversight
- IAEAU.N. atomic oversight body
- Three Mile IslandPennsylvania nuclear disaster site
Chernobyl · Fukushima · evacuation zone · exclusion zone · fail-safe · redundancy · safety systems · risk assessment
Catastrophic loss of control
- shutdownCessation of operations
- startupNew business enterprise
- refuelingAdding more fuel supply
- criticalityState of utmost importance
scram · control room · operator · inspection · commissioning · decommissioning · maintenance · safety protocols
fission
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- neutronsUncharged subatomic particles
- uraniumElement ninety-two
plutonium · critical mass · criticality · isotopes · moderator · cross-section · radioactive decay · atom · proton · electron
fuel rods
Encased fissile material tubes
- control rodsNeutron-absorbing reactor components
- coolantTemperature-regulating fluid
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
core · steam generator · pressure vessel · cooling tower · heat exchanger · pump · turbine · condenser · cladding · shielding
electricity
Energy from charged particles
energy output · steam · turbine · generator · efficiency · transmission · kilowatts · heat · power plant · energy supply
ionizing
Producing charged particles
- gamma raysHighest-frequency electromagnetic radiation
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- beta particlesElectrons from radioactive decay
radioactivity · dosimeter · contamination · half-life · shielding · exposure · rem · rad · radiation monitoring · decay
pressurized water
Liquid under force
- boiling waterH2O at 212°F
- breederOne who raises stock
- molten saltIonic substance heated liquid
thorium · heavy water · sodium-cooled · fusion reactor · tokamak · experimental
containment
Preventing hostile expansion
- backup powerSecondary electrical source
- regulatoryInvolving official oversight
- IAEAU.N. atomic oversight body
Three Mile Island · Chernobyl · Fukushima · evacuation zone · exclusion zone · fail-safe · redundancy · safety systems · risk assessment
meltdown
Catastrophic loss of control
criticality · scram · control room · operator · inspection · commissioning · decommissioning · maintenance · safety protocols · power output
- Nuclearatomic bomb, atomic bombs, uranium, reactors, fission
- Innovationselectricity, steam engine, printing press, telephone, telegraph
- energy systemspower plant, electricity, power grid, generators, solar power
- heat sourcesheater, radiator, furnace, stove, oven
- power sourcessolar power, electricity, wind power, steam, hydro power
- structureshouse, bridge, buildings, dome, building
nuclear reactornatural gas plant
Facility refining underground hydrocarbons
combustion engine · coal furnace · steam engine · internal combustion · wood-burning stove
nuclear reactorwindmill
Rotating structure harnessing air
waterwheel · solar panel · hand crank · simple machine · wood stove
nuclear reactorcampfire
Outdoor fire for gathering
bonfire · wood stove · fireplace · open hearth · candle
react, nuclear, nucleus, nucleate, antinuclear, nuclear fission, nucleated, nuclear power, nonnuclear