What is the term used for the disintegration of a nuclear reactor?

Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity, radioactive disintegration or nuclear disintegration) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation.

What happens when the core of a nuclear reactor explodes?

A meltdown is considered very serious because of the potential for radioactive materials to breach all containment and escape (or be released) into the environment, resulting in radioactive contamination and fallout, and potentially leading to radiation poisoning of people and animals nearby.

What does criticality mean in nuclear reactor?

The normal operating condition of a reactor, in which nuclear fuel sustains a fission chain reaction. A reactor achieves criticality (and is said to be critical) when each fission event releases a sufficient number of neutrons to sustain an ongoing series of reactions.

What is split in the nuclear reactor?

A nuclear reactor is driven by the splitting of atoms, a process called fission, where a particle (a ‘neutron’) is fired at an atom, which then fissions into two smaller atoms and some additional neutrons.

What is the meaning of radioactivity?

Definition of radioactivity : the property possessed by some elements (such as uranium) or isotopes (such as carbon 14) of spontaneously emitting energetic particles (such as electrons or alpha particles) by the disintegration of their atomic nuclei also : the rays emitted.

What is the Curie actually measuring?

One of three units used to measure the intensity of radioactivity in a sample of material. A curie is also a quantity of any radionuclide that decays at a rate of 37 billion disintegrations per second (1 gram of radium, for example).

Is Criticalness a word?

Relating to or characterized by criticism; reflecting careful analysis and judgment: a critical appreciation of the filmmaker’s work.

What is another word for criticality?

What is another word for criticality?

What does the term chain reaction mean?

A chain reaction refers to a process in which neutrons released in fission produce an additional fission in at least one further nucleus. This nucleus in turn produces neutrons, and the process repeats. The process may be controlled (nuclear power) or uncontrolled (nuclear weapons).