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First off, nuclear criticality refers to a fission chain reaction, such as in a nuclear power reactor. The fission of a nuclear bomb, in contrast, usually involves a level of super-criticality, because more neutrons are being produced than when the reaction was started. Power plants' reactors contain less-enriched fuel (3% concentration of fissile uranium) than a bomb (99% conc.) since they're only trying to heat up water to 550 degrees for steam-- not to burn up a city. However, when we started harnessing the atom for electricity, trying to get the concentration of fuel just right proved to be tricky. You've heard of critical mass? This is an amount of a particular form of uranium that is needed for criticality to occur. Once when some uranium fuel was being mixed up, it stopped stirring; imagine if you add sugar to iced tea, stir it, then look to see the undissolved sugar swirling in the bottom of the glass-- when the fuel stopped being stirred, the uranium fell out like sugar, gathered at the bottom, and the mixture "went critical" unexpectedly (Flash / Woof). This was a criticality accident, and workers in the immediate vicinity were real unlucky. This was a tough lesson, and they changed methods so that this accident won't be repeated. Interesting stuff-- for more nuke info, research Oak Ridgeor NRC's website.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoA nuclear accident is an event in which there is a loss of control of radioactive materials with a possibility of radioactive poisoning (there is a related link below). It is not the same as a radiation accident, which is very limited in nature.
There are a number of causes of such events, ranging from equipment failure and human error to loss of coolant or spillage in an accident in transportation. A major nuclear accident happens when the core of a nuclear reactor is damaged by a meltdown or partial meltdown. But there are other types of nuclear accidents, including loss of radiological materials intended for medical use, as happened in the Goiânia accident, in Brazil.
Nuclear accidents are rated according to an International Nuclear Events Scale (see related link below). This scale rates events on a scale of 1 to 7, 7 being worst, and numbers 4 through 7 are for accidents. An accident with local consequences is rated at number 4. Number 5 is an accident with wider consequences, and the Three Mile Island accident was of this type. Number 6 is assigned to what is called a Serious Accident. Number 7 is assigned to a Major Accident, and the Chernobyl Disaster was of this type.
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How a nuclear accident occur?
There are many ways a nuclear accident may occur, however most nuclear power plant accident occur due to problem in an reactor.
Which nuclear facility was the site of the worst nuclear accident?
The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant underwent a level 7 event - the worst accident so far. The plant, located in the Soviet Union near Pripyat in Ukraine lost its number four reactor on 26 April 1986. A link to the Wikipedia article on the accident is provided.
Was the nuclear accident at Chernobyl more devastating than the accident at Three Mile Island?
No, not according to an Forbes article that states Chernobyl disaster (level 7 on International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale) was magnitudes worse than the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, which was a level 4 and likely be upgraded to a level 5.
What event caused many Americans to woory about nuclear power?
what event caused many Americans to worry about nuclear power
What could happen if there is an accident in a nuclear power station?
it might explode (tchernobyl)
What is a nuclear accident that does not pose a threat of nuclear war called?
The term "Broken Arrow" is used to indicate a nuclear accident involving a nuclear weapon that does't pose the threat indicated. The term "excursion" (as in nuclear excursion) or "criticality accident" is applied to a nuclear reactor or nuclear material accident, respectively.
What has the author Hugh Campbell Paxton written?
Hugh Campbell Paxton has written: 'Experimental criticality specifications' -- subject(s): Criticality (Nuclear engineering), Bibliography
An event in history that involved Nuclear energy?
Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster - April 26, 1986. Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station Accident - March 28, 1979 First man-made nuclear reactor that reached criticality - December 2, 1942 (Manhattan Project) Nuclear reactor first used for electricity - December 20, 1951
What happens to nuclear energy before it is used?
Nuclear energy is released as heat in the fuel of a nuclear reactor, but only when the reactor has been brought to criticality and the chain reaction started. At that point the heat must be used, it can't be stored and used later. Before criticality is established, the reactor is shutdown and producing no nuclear heat from fission, so you could regard it as having potential nuclear energy in that state
When did Tokaimura nuclear accident happen?
Tokaimura nuclear accident happened in 1997.
What has the author S W Heaberlin written?
S. W Heaberlin has written: 'Criticality safety comparisons of spent fuel facility concepts' -- subject(s): Reactor fuel reprocessing, Criticality (Nuclear engineering)
What was the worst nuclear power plant accident in world history?
The Chernobyl nuclear accident.
How a nuclear accident occur?
There are many ways a nuclear accident may occur, however most nuclear power plant accident occur due to problem in an reactor.
What would happen if nuclear fission happened too quickly?
A criticality event, and high risk of loss of life and property.
Who is most at risk in a nuclear energy accident?
Those most at risk in a nuclear energy accident are the workers at the nuclear facility itself.
How many major nuclear accidents have there been?
Three major nuclear accidents; namely:Three Miles Islands nuclear accident, USA, March 1979Chernobyl nuclear accident, Ukraine (former Soviet Union), April 1986Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan, March 2011
Disaster that starts with N?
Nuclear power accidents are a disaster. The 1986 nuclear accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was a catastrophic accident.
