Subatomic Particles
Radioactive Isotope
Radioactive Fallout
Radioactive
Partial Meltdown
Radiation
Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear Fission
Isotope
Nuclear Meltdown
Control Rods
Nuclear Waste
Unit 9 Vocabulary
Atomic Nucleus
the central region of the atom containing the protons and neutrons
Atomic Nucleus
absorb neutrons to regulate the rate of the chain reaction so that the water does not overheat and destroy the reactor
Control Rods
an atom of an element that has the same number of protons as its standard elemental form, but has either more or less neutrons
Isotope
when a large radioactive element is split creating two smaller elements, in the process, releasing mass amounts of energy
Nuclear Fission
when two smaller elements are combined, creating a larger element, in the process, releasing mass amounts of energy
Nuclear Fusion
a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating
Nuclear Meltdown
long-lived fission waste products
Nuclear Waste
when some, but not all, of the fuel rods melted before coolant was restored
Partial Meltdown
energy that travels in waves
Radiation
the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus will lose energy through the emission of particles or electromagnetic waves
Radioactive
the radiation that landed on Earth from clouds carrying radiation
Radioactive Fallout
the atoms are not stable, releasing radiation as they decay into smaller elements
Radioactive Isotope
the pieces that make up an atom (proton, electron, neutron)
Subatomic Particles