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