Nuclear material

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Nuclear Material

Nuclear material (/njuːˈkliːər məˈtɪərɪəl/) refers to substances or materials that are radioactive and can be used in the production of nuclear energy or in the manufacture of nuclear weapons.

Etymology

The term "nuclear" is derived from the Latin word nucleus, meaning "kernel" or "core". The term "material" comes from the Latin materia, meaning "substance" or "stuff".

Types of Nuclear Material

There are several types of nuclear materials, including:

  • Uranium: A heavy, silvery-white metal that is radioactive. It is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors and in the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
  • Plutonium: A radioactive, metallic element that is used in the production of nuclear energy and in the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
  • Thorium: A naturally-occurring, radioactive metal that can be used as a fuel in certain types of nuclear reactors.
  • Deuterium and Tritium: Isotopes of hydrogen that are used in nuclear fusion reactions.

Related Terms

  • Nuclear Energy: The energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, especially when used to generate electricity.
  • Nuclear Fission: A nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy.
  • Nuclear Fusion: A nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.
  • Nuclear Reactor: A device used to initiate and control a self-sustained nuclear chain reaction.
  • Nuclear Weapon: A weapon that uses nuclear reactions to release destructive energy.

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