reactor cores
Fission fuel centers
The reactor core is the central part of a nuclear reactor where fission occurs—the region containing fuel rods, control rods, and moderator where chain reactions generate heat.
A damaged or melting core represents the most serious nuclear accident scenario: The Chernobyl disaster began with an explosion that exposed the reactor core.
In science fiction, reactor cores power spacecraft and serve as dramatic plot devices.
- nuclear fissionAtomic core division
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- fuel rodsEncased fissile material tubes
- nuclear propulsionMovement powered by reactors
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
Three Mile Island · electricity generation · radiation shielding · critical mass · atomic pile · uranium-235 · plutonium-239 · moderator · coolant · cooling system · boiling water · isotopes · pressure vessel · safety protocols · dosimetry · nuclear fuel · heat exchanger · refueling
- nuclear energynuclear power, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, uranium, plutonium
- nuclear exhibitsManhattan Project, nuclear history, Geiger counters, dosimeters, radiation suits
- nuclear technologycontrol rod, control rods, fuel rod, fuel rods, nuclear safety
- nuclear reactorscontrol rods, fuel rods, nuclear fuel, coolant system, moderator
- spacecraft powersolar arrays, solar panels, solar cells, batteries, fuel cells
reactor corescooling towers
Industrial heat-removal structures
heat exchangers · cooling systems · condensers · heat sinks · steam turbines
reactor, reactors, core, cores, react, reacts, reacted, reacting, reaction