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Related Concept Videos

Nuclear Fission02:50

Nuclear Fission

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 number of different...
Nuclear Power02:36

Nuclear Power

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...
Nuclear Binding Energy02:13

Nuclear Binding Energy

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 together;...
Nuclear Fusion02:45

Nuclear Fusion

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...
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

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 in the...
Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations03:18

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations

Nuclear chemistry is the study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure. The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and, except for hydrogen, neutrons. The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number (Z) of the element, and the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are isotopes of the same element.
A nuclide of an element has a specific number of protons and...

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Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
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Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Published on: December 14, 2017

Nuclear energy.

Peter D Wilson1

  • 1pdwilson@ukonline.co.uk

Science Progress
|December 25, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study outlines the civil nuclear industry, covering nuclear fission, radioactivity, reactor types, and safety. It also details the fuel cycle, waste management, proliferation risks, and environmental impacts.

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Area of Science:

  • Nuclear Engineering
  • Radiochemistry
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • The civil nuclear industry relies on controlled nuclear fission for energy generation.
  • Understanding radioactivity, including natural and artificial elements, is crucial for nuclear operations.
  • Various reactor designs and their associated safety protocols are fundamental to the industry.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the technical principles and practices in the civil nuclear sector.
  • To examine key aspects including fission, radioactivity, reactor technology, and safety.
  • To discuss the nuclear fuel cycle, waste management, and non-proliferation concerns.

Main Methods:

  • Descriptive analysis of nuclear fission and its products.
  • Explanation of natural and artificial radioactivity and their interrelations.
  • Overview of principal reactor types and their operational characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Detailed examination of the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium extraction to waste disposal.
  • Assessment of safety issues, environmental considerations, and waste management strategies.
  • Discussion on the relationship between nuclear technology and weapon proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • The civil nuclear industry involves complex technical, safety, and environmental considerations.
  • Effective waste management and non-proliferation measures are critical for sustainable nuclear operations.
  • Future developments in nuclear technology require careful consideration of all these factors.