Vocab 55-62 (General and Nuclear Energy) Flashcards
Spontaneous flow of heat from warmer to cooler bodies
Thermal Gradient
Enough energy to dislodge electrons from atoms, forming ions; capable of causing cancer (gamma, x-rays, UV)
Ionizing Radiation
organized and concentrated; can perform useful work (fossil fuel and nuclear)
High-quality Energy
disorganized, dispersed (heat in the ocean, air wind, or solar)
Low-quality Energy
energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another (conservation of Energy)
First Law of Thermodynamics
when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower-quality energy, usually heat
Second Law of Thermodynamics
conservation, increase efficiency, explore alternative energy options
Best solutions to energy shortage:
wind, solar, waves, biomass, geothermal, fuel cells
Alternate energy sources
unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles
Natural radioactive decay
the time it takes for 1/2 the mass of a radioisotope to decay
Half-life
How long a radioactive isotope must be stored until it decays to safe levels
appx. 10 half-lives
nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons
Nuclear Fission
two isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temperatures till they fuse to form a heavier nucleus (He). Process is expensive; break-even point not reached uet
Nuclear Fusion
not all matter is converted into matter in a fusion reaction - some (the mass deficit) is converted into energy. E= mc^2. Explains the energy released in a fusion reaction.
Mass deficit
core, control rods, steam generator, turbine, containment building
Major parts of a nuclear reactor
