Common Knowledge
What is the nucleus?
The tiny core of an atom, containing protons and neutrons, where energy is released.
Fission means to split atoms; fusion means to ______ them together.
Join or Fuse
What is the solid, used fuel from a reactor called
Nuclear Waste
One major advantage of nuclear energy is that, unlike burning fossil fuels, it emits none of these types of gases into the air during operation.
Greenhouse gases specifically carbon dioxide
True or False: A nuclear reactor can explode like an atomic bomb.
False
What is contained in the nucleus?
Protons and Neutrons
The reaction in a power plant is a controlled ______ reaction.
Fission
This waste remains radioactive for thousands of ______.
Years
Nuclear power plants are considered one of America's most reliable energy sources because they can run at full capacity over 90% of the time, often for 1.5 to 2 years between refueling.
reliable energy
True or False: All life on Earth is subjected to some natural background radiation.
True
A nuclear plant uses heat from fission to boil water, creating ______ to spin a turbine.
Steam
What is the term for the time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay?
Half-life
What is the general term for energy from unstable atoms
Radioactivity or ionizing radiation
This is the primary challenge and concern associated with nuclear energy, which involves dealing with radioactive materials that are no longer useful.
Radioactive waste
True or False: Nuclear power is a renewable energy source.
False
What common element is used as fuel in most nuclear reactors
Uranium
What's the name for the energy released from the nucleus of an atom?
Nuclear Energy
Name one method of protecting yourself from radiation
time, distance, and shielding
The naturally occurring radiation that is always present in the environment from sources like rocks, the sun, and even our own bodies.
Background radiation
True or False: One small uranium fuel pellet can produce the same amount of energy as a ton of coal or three barrels of oil.
True
What are the rods inserted into a reactor to control the rate of fission
Control rods
Where does fusion naturally happen in space?
Stars, specifically the sun
What is a long-term storage site for high-level radioactive waste called?
Geologic Repository