Nuclear Energy: Glossary

A

alternative

a possible choice, different from the usual selection

atoms

the smallest particle of any element that has all the properties of that element

B

boiling-water nuclear reactor

a nuclear reactor in which water boils in the core to make steam

C

Control rods

rods that are inserted into or removed from the reactor core during the fission process to speed up or slow down the chain reaction

carbon dioxide

a greenhouse gas that is released when oil, coal, natural gas, and biomass are burned

chain reaction

process in which neutrons released in fission produce additional fission in other uranium atoms

climate change

changes due to rising temperatures, such as changes in weather patterns, storm strength, melting polar ice, and rising sea levels

containment vessels

large structures of steel-reinforced concrete that surround and protect the reactor

contaminate

to make something polluted or impure

controversial

causing much disagreement or debate

E

Energy

the power for doing work

electrons

particles moving around the nucleus of an atom that carry a negative charge

element

a substance that cannot be chemically broken down and of which all matter is composed

environmental impact

negative effect on the environment

F

fuel assembly

bundles of 100 to 200 fuel rods that are loaded in the reactor core

fuel rods

long metal tubes that hold about 200 stacked uranium fuel pellets used in the nuclear fission reactor

G

generators

machines that generates electrical current

global warming

a planet-wide rise in temperature

greenhouse gases

gases in the atmosphere that trap heat

N

neutrons

particles within the nucleus of an atom that carry no charge

nonrenewable

energy source that cannot be replenished in a short period of time (coal, oil, gas, uranium)

nuclear fission

the process of splitting a large atom into two or more smaller atoms, releasing large amounts of energy

nuclear fusion

the process of combining two atoms to form a new atom, releasing large amounts of energy

nuclei

the plural of nucleus

nucleus

the center core of an atom

P

permanent

designed to last for a long time

potential energy

stored energy; the capability to produce energy

predictable

acts or occurs in an expected way

pressurized-water nuclear reactor

a nuclear reactor in which water is kept under pressure in the reactor core so that the water can be heated to high temperatures without boiling

pros and cons

good points and bad points; benefits and drawbacks

protons

particles within the nucleus of an atom that carry a positive charge

R

radiation

particles and electromagnetic waves emitted from the center of an atom during nuclear decay

radioactive

capable of giving off hazardous radiation

reactor

the part of a nuclear power plant where fission takes place

reliable

dependable

renewable

an energy resource that is replaced rapidly by natural processes (solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower)

T

turbines

wheels with many blades that are spun and connected to a generator to make electricity

U

uranium

a metallic, radioactive element found in rocks that is used as the fuel for nuclear power plants