Chpter 4

Front 1

Nuclear fusion

Back 1

Ttrc
combining of two
nuclei into a larger
nucleus. The large
nucleus weighs
less than the two
smaller nuclei that
formed it. The
result of this
process yields a
large energy
release.

Front 2

Nuclear fission

Back 2

The process of
splitting a larger
atom to produce
two smaller atoms
and a tremendous
amount of energy

Front 3

Nucleus

Back 3

The center
portion of an atom
containing the protons
and neutrons.

Front 4

Proton:

Back 4

A positively charged atomic particle

Front 5

Neutron

Back 5

uncharged atomic particle

Front 6

Radioactiaity:

Back 6

A
property of some
atoms, such as
those of uranium
decay, in which
they give off atomic
particles. The
particles emitted
are harmful to
humans and other
living things.

Front 7

Uranium 235
(U235

Back 7

An element
whose atoms can
be split more easily
than most others,
making it suitable
for refining into
nuclear fuel

Front 8

Half-life

Back 8

The time
it takes for half the
atoms present in an
unstable element to
transform into a
new element

Front 9

oiling water
reactor (BWR):

Back 9

A type of fission
reactor in which
water surrounds
the nuclear fuel
core within the
reactor. Control
rods sit between
the fuel rods and
absorb stray neutrons.
When the
control rods are
retracted, the fission
process begins to
occur, and a
tremendous
amount of heat is
produced. This
heat converts the
surrounding water
to steam. The force
of the expanding
steam spins a turbine
to produce
electricity

Front 10

Control rod:

Back 10

Parl o{
a fission reactor
that sits betr,r.een
the fuel rods and
absorb strav neutrons.
Wren the
control rods are
retracted, the fission
process begins
to occur.

Front 11

Pressurized zuater
reactor (PWR

Back 11

A
reactor that works
similarly to aboiling
water reactor
(BWR), except it
makes use of a heat
exchanger known
as a steam generator.
A PWR can operate
at higher pressures
and temperatures
than a BWR.
Unlike the BWR,
the steam generator
in a PWR allows
the turbine to
remain free of
radioactive
contamination.

Front 12

Primary loop

Back 12

The
part of a pressurized
water reactor
(PWR) in which
the water is heated.
It surrounds the
reactor core.

Front 13

Secondary loop

Back 13

The part of a pressurized
water reactor
(PWR)in which
steam is created

Front 14

Kyoto Protocol

Back 14

Thrgets setin1997
by countries wishing
to increase
capacity while
reducing carbon
dioxide (CO.)
emissions.

Front 15

Nuclear Waste
Policy Act

Back 15

An acl
passed by
Congress lrl.1982
promising that the
federal government
is to take
nuclear waste from
the utilities for
permanent storage.

Front 16

Nuclear Waste
Fund:

Back 16

A
multibillion-dollar
fund used for the
development of a
permanent nuclear
waste disposal site

Front 17

Yucca Mountain
storage facility

Back 17

A
govemmentowned
facility in
southern Nevada
that is a planned
site for permanent
storage of nuclear
waste. The waste
would be stored in
stable rock formations
deep within
the earth's surface.

Front 18

Plasma

Back 18

Ionized
gas with an equal
number of positive
and negative
charges.

Front 19

Electron

Back 19

A negatively
charged
atomic particle

Front 20

lsotope

Back 20

One of
two or more atoms
with the same
number of protons
but with different
numbers of
neutrons.

Front 21

Proliferation:

Back 21

The
use of by-products
of nuclear power
for the production
of nuclear
weaPons.