Apes Chapter 11

18 cards   |   Total Attempts: 182
  

Cards In This Set

Front Back
How does nuclear fusion work?
Atomic nuclei are combined, releasing energy.
How does nuclear fission work?
Atomic nuclei are split apart, releasing energy.
Does nuclear fusion and fission produce less or more energy than other types of generating energy?
Considerably more.
What is the nuclear fuel cycle?
The nuclear fuel cycle is the the process involved in producing the fuel for use in the reactors and in disposing of radioactive wastes.
What continents are the main source of uranium?
Africa, north America, and Australia.
What is Enrichment?
Enrichment is the part of the nuclear fuel cycle in which uranium ore is refined to increase the concentration of uranium-235 , the isotope of uranium that is used as fuel.
What process, fission or fusion, is used in today' nuclear power plants?
Fission
What does a nuclear power plant consist of, in terms of parts?
Reactor core, where the fission occurs, a steam generator, a turbine, and a condenser.
How many fuel assemblies does a reactor core have?
250
What does the control rod do?
The control rod can move into or out of the fuel assembly, controlling the amount of fission.
Does breeder fission make more fuel than it uses?
Yes
What are the advantages of nuclear energy?
It is less polluting and more economical, and its fuel, uranium, is plentiful.
What are the disadvantages of nuclear energy?
There is a chance of meltdowns or other malfunctions that could cause major damage.
What major meltdown caused a world assessment of nuclear energy?
Chernobyl
What are low level radioactive wastes?
Radioactive solids, liquids, or gases that give off small amounts of ionizing radiation.