Explain nuclear meltdown
What will be an ideal response?
During nuclear fission, neutrons from split atomic nuclei create self-sustaining chain reactions as they collide with adjacent atomic nuclei. If not controlled, the reactions become runaway processes of positive feedback that release enormous amounts of energy. Inside a nuclear power plant, fission is controlled so that only one of the two or three neutrons emitted with each fission induces another event. The chain reaction thus maintains a constant output of energy at a controlled rate, rather than an explosively increasing output. In a reactor, neutrons are slowed down with a moderator (usually water or graphite), and excess neutrons are absorbed by control rods made of a metallic alloy. Meltdown occurs if the fission reaction proceeds out of control, increasing temperatures in the reactor. This happened in the meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979, when mechanical failure and human error caused coolant water to drain from the reactor vessel, melting the metal surrounding the uranium fuel rods and releasing radiation.
You might also like to view...
Uncut forests or regenerated forests that have not been significantly impacted by humans or natural disasters for several hundred years or more are known as ____________________
Fill in the blanks with correct word
Many of the chemical hazards in our world can be avoided by lifestyle choices. However, air pollution, which is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, is a form of chemical hazard that we do not have direct control over
Sandra Steingraber, in her book "Living Downstream," discusses the idea that clean air should be elevated to the status of a civil right in the United States. What would have to occur in order to have clean air become a civil right? Does not having clean air prevent you from realizing your other civil rights? If it were a civil right in the United States, would this guarantee clean air for you as a citizen of the U.S.? What will be an ideal response
A halo around the Sun or Moon indicates that this cloud type is present
What will be an ideal response?
People suffering from AIDS have a weakened immune system. Because of their disease, people who have AIDS are
A) more vulnerable to the risk of nitrogen in the air. B) less vulnerable to the risk of bacteria in the air. C) more vulnerable to bacteria that are less of a risk to healthy people. D) less vulnerable to any type of fungal, bacterial, or viral infection.