Nuclear energy

Nuclear energy

Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split a nucleus of an atom into its component parts. The component parts are neutrons and protons, which are collectively called nucleons. The binding energy of nuclei is always a positive number, since all nuclei require net energy to separate them into individual protons and neutrons.

Industry: Energy

Add a new term

Contributors in Nuclear energy

Become a Contributors

Nuclear energy

fuel temperature coefficient of reactivity

Energy; Nuclear energy

The change in reactivity per degree of change in the temperature of nuclear fuel. The physical property of fuel pellet material (uranium-238) that causes the uranium to absorb more neutrons away from ...

fuel rod

Energy; Nuclear energy

A long, slender, zirconium metal tube containing pellets of fissionable material, which provide fuel for nuclear reactors. Fuel rods are assembled into bundles called fuel assemblies, which are ...

fuel reprocessing

Energy; Nuclear energy

The processing of reactor fuel to separate the unused fissionable material from waste material. Reprocessing extracts isotopes from spent nuclear fuel so they can be used again as reactor fuel. ...

fuel pellet

Energy; Nuclear energy

A thimble-sized ceramic cylinder (approximately 3/8-inch in diameter and 5/8-inch in length), consisting of uranium (typically uranium oxide, UO 2 ), which has been enriched to increase the ...

fuel cycle

Energy; Nuclear energy

The series of steps involved in supplying fuel for nuclear power reactors include the following: * Uranium recovery to extract (or mine) uranium ore, and concentrate (or mill) the ore to produce ...

fuel assembly

Energy; Nuclear energy

A structured group of fuel rods (long, slender, metal tubes containing pellets of fissionable material, which provide fuel for nuclear reactors). Depending on the design, each reactor vessel may have ...

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Energy; Nuclear energy

A Federal law that requires Federal agencies to provide, upon written request, access to records or information. Some material is exempt from FOIA, and FOIA does not apply to records that are ...