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Related Concept Videos

Nuclear Power02:36

Nuclear Power

8.7K
Controlled nuclear fission reactions are used to generate electricity. Any nuclear reactor that produces power via the fission of uranium or plutonium by bombardment with neutrons has six components: nuclear fuel consisting of fissionable material, a nuclear moderator, a neutron source, control rods, reactor coolant, and a shield and containment system.
Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuel consists of a fissile isotope, such as uranium-235, which must be present in sufficient quantity to provide a...
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Nuclear Binding Energy02:13

Nuclear Binding Energy

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The difference between the calculated and experimentally measured masses is known as the mass defect of the atom. In the case of helium-4, the mass defect indicates a “loss” in mass of 4.0331 amu – 4.0026 amu = 0.0305 amu. The loss in mass accompanying the formation of an atom from protons, neutrons, and electrons is due to the conversion of that mass into energy that is evolved as the atom forms. The nuclear binding energy is the energy produced when the atoms’ nucleons are bound...
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Nuclear Fusion02:45

Nuclear Fusion

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The process of converting very light nuclei into heavier nuclei is also accompanied by the conversion of mass into large amounts of energy, a process called fusion. The principal source of energy in the sun is a net fusion reaction in which four hydrogen nuclei fuse and ultimately produce one helium nucleus and two positrons.
A helium nucleus has a mass that is 0.7% less than that of four hydrogen nuclei; this lost mass is converted into energy during the fusion. This reaction produces about...
32.9K
Nuclear Fission02:50

Nuclear Fission

11.0K
Many heavier elements with smaller binding energies per nucleon can decompose into more stable elements that have intermediate mass numbers and larger binding energies per nucleon—that is, mass numbers and binding energies per nucleon that are closer to the “peak” of the binding energy graph near 56. Sometimes neutrons are also produced. This decomposition of a large nucleus into smaller pieces is called fission. The breaking is rather random with the formation of a large...
11.0K
Nuclear Transmutation03:20

Nuclear Transmutation

19.8K
Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed...
19.8K
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

21.2K
Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together...
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Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
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Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh

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Nuclear energy.

Karl Grandin1, Peter Jagers, Sven Kullander

  • 1Center for History of Science, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. karl.grandin@kva.se

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|September 30, 2010
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nuclear energy offers carbon-free electricity. Advanced fission and fusion reactors promise greater efficiency and safety, requiring further research for sustainable energy solutions.

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Area of Science:

  • Energy science
  • Nuclear engineering
  • Materials science

Background:

  • Nuclear energy is a key component for carbon-free electricity generation.
  • Current nuclear technologies face challenges in materials efficiency and safety.
  • Future energy demands necessitate sustainable and advanced power sources.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the potential of fourth-generation fission and fusion reactors in future energy systems.
  • To highlight the importance of materials science and safety considerations in advanced nuclear reactor designs.
  • To advocate for increased research and development in both fission and fusion technologies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current advancements in fourth-generation fission reactor designs.
  • Analysis of the potential benefits and challenges of fusion power.
  • Assessment of materials requirements for high-performance nuclear reactors.

Main Results:

  • Fourth-generation fission reactors show promise for improved materials efficiency and safety.
  • Fusion reactors offer potential for even greater materials efficiency and environmental friendliness.
  • Significant research and development are still needed for both technologies.

Conclusions:

  • Advanced nuclear fission and fusion technologies are crucial for a sustainable, carbon-free energy future.
  • Continued investment in research is essential to overcome technical challenges and realize the potential of these reactors.
  • Strengthened research roadmaps are necessary to accelerate the development of next-generation nuclear power.