All Flashcards
Define nuclear fission.
Splitting an atom into smaller pieces, releasing energy.
Define nuclear fusion.
Combining smaller atoms into larger ones, releasing energy.
Define control rods.
Rods that absorb neutrons in a reactor to control the chain reaction.
What is Uranium-235?
A radioactive isotope of uranium used as fuel in nuclear reactors.
Define radioactive waste.
Waste products from nuclear reactors that emit harmful radiation.
What is a chain reaction?
A self-sustaining series of nuclear fissions caused by neutrons released in each fission.
Define thermal pollution.
The release of excess heat into bodies of water, often from power plants.
What is a nuclear reactor?
A device in which controlled nuclear chain reactions produce heat.
Define meltdown.
A severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating.
What is a turbine?
A rotary engine that extracts energy from a fluid flow.
What is nuclear fission?
Splitting an atom into smaller pieces, releasing energy.
What is nuclear fusion?
Combining smaller atoms into larger ones, releasing energy.
Define control rods.
Materials that absorb neutrons to control nuclear chain reactions.
What is radioactive waste?
Waste containing radioactive materials, dangerous for thousands of years.
What is Uranium-235?
A radioactive isotope of uranium used as fuel in nuclear reactors.
Define thermal pollution.
The degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature.
What are the effects of a nuclear meltdown?
Release of radioactive materials, potential for widespread contamination, and long-term health risks.
What are the environmental consequences of improper radioactive waste disposal?
Groundwater contamination, soil contamination, and potential harm to ecosystems and human health.
What caused the Fukushima Daiichi accident?
A tsunami caused loss of power and cooling, leading to explosions and radioactive leaks.
What were the effects of the Chernobyl accident?
Reactor explosion, release of radioactive material, numerous fatalities, and long-term health impacts.
What is the effect of thermal pollution on aquatic ecosystems?
Decreased oxygen levels, harm to aquatic life, and disruption of ecosystem balance.
What is the result of a power surge in a nuclear reactor?
Can lead to a reactor explosion and release of radioactive material, as seen in Chernobyl.
What is the impact of storing nuclear waste on-site at power plants?
Potential for leaks, security concerns, and the need for long-term monitoring and management.
What is the effect of radiation exposure on human health?
Increased risk of cancer, genetic mutations, and other health problems, depending on the dose and duration of exposure.
What is the impact of using uranium as a fuel source?
Depletion of a finite resource, generation of radioactive waste, and potential for nuclear proliferation.
What is the effect of a cooling malfunction in a nuclear reactor?
Can lead to a partial meltdown and leakage of radioactive gas, as seen in Three Mile Island.