GLOSSARY - Nuclear Power - page 41

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atom: A unit of matter that has
a nucleus (middle) containing
one or more positively charged
particles called protons along
with, in most cases, particles
called neutrons that have no
charge. One or more negatively
charged electrons surround the
nucleus.
breeder reactor: A type of
reactor that can produce more
i ssionable material than it
consumes.
CANDU reactor: A type of
reactor developed in Canada that
uses heavy water as a moderator
and can even use natural,
unenriched uranium as fuel.
carbon dioxide: A gas formed
when fossil fuels are burned; also
written as CO 2 .
chain reaction: A reaction that,
once started, continues on its
own.
coolant: Something that cools
and may prevent overheating in
a device.
decommission: To remove a
reactor or weapon from service.
electron: A small, negatively
charged particle in an atom, found
outside the nucleus.
element: A basic chemical
substance that cannot be divided
into simpler substances.

emission: A substance that is
released into the air.
energy: The ability to do work.
enrichment: The process of
increasing the percentage of
uranium-235 in uranium and
decreasing the percentage of
uranium-238.
i ssion: Splitting an atomic
nucleus into two smaller ones.
fossil fuel: A fuel, such as
coal, natural gas, or oil, that was
formed underground over millions
of years from the remains of
prehistoric plants and animals.
Such fuels are not renewable.
fuel cell: A device that uses a
reaction between two substances,
such as hydrogen and oxygen, to
make electricity.
fusion: An energy-producing
process that occurs in the Sun,
involving the combination, or
fusion, of atomic nuclei.
generator: A machine that is
used to convert energy, such as
that provided by burning fuel or
by wind or water, into electricity.
greenhouse gases: Gases that
trap heat from the Sun within the
atmosphere; carbon dioxide is
one of the most common.
heat exchanger: A device that
transfers heat from one substance
to another.