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The short answer is that at least the fuel melts, but if it can melt anything else, it does, including concrete.
There are different types of meltdowns. At Three Mile Island, the meltdown happened when hot steam reacted with the zirconium cladding of reactor rods. This allowed uranium fuel pellets to come into contact and melt together. Upwards of half of the fuel in the reactor melted.
A worse case is if the reactor itself melts, so the nuclear fuel can go through it. In Chernobyl, the reactor was opened by a series of explosions caused by steam and chemical reactions. Molten fuel escaped the reactor, and there was a threat that when it melted through the concrete floor the reactor stood on, it would fall into a water containment below. If this had happened it almost certainly would have caused another explosion and a much worse disaster.
Fortunately for all of us who are alive, a number of people went into the area of the disaster, knowing they would be killed as a result, to get the water out of the containment under the reactor. The molten fuel combined with other materials, and was diluted in the process, finally solidifying in the area under the reactor.
As a matter of interest, other people also worked to contain the radioactive material, knowing the work would kill them. Some of these people lived as long as six weeks in the hospital, and some hospital workers came down with radiation poisoning as a result of this exposure. The disaster workers who died were buried in graves over 300 feet deep to isolate the radiation in their bodies.
What else can I help you with?
What is the term used to describe a nuclear reactor when it over heats and the core melts?
The term used to describe a nuclear reactor when it overheats and the core melts is "nuclear meltdown." This can lead to a breach of containment and release of radioactive materials into the environment.
What is a dangerous conditions caused by overheating inside of reactor called?
A dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a reactor is known as a meltdown. This occurs when the core of the reactor becomes so hot that it melts, potentially leading to a breach of containment and release of radioactive material.
What is a nuclear reactor meltdown?
A nuclear meltdown is an informal term for a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating. A meltdown occurs when the heat generated by a nuclear reactor exceeds the heat removed by the cooling systems to the point which at least one nuclear fuel plate exceeds its melting point.
What is a dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor?
A dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor is called a nuclear meltdown. This occurs when the reactor core is unable to be cooled and may result in a breach of the containment structures, releasing radioactive material into the environment.
The only meltdown in a nuclear reactor to ever happen in the US happen where?
The only nuclear reactor meltdown in the US occurred at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in 1979. It was a partial meltdown caused by a combination of equipment failure and human error.
What is the term used to describe a nuclear reactor when it over heats and the core melts?
The term used to describe a nuclear reactor when it overheats and the core melts is "nuclear meltdown." This can lead to a breach of containment and release of radioactive materials into the environment.
What is a dangerous conditions caused by overheating inside of reactor called?
A dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a reactor is known as a meltdown. This occurs when the core of the reactor becomes so hot that it melts, potentially leading to a breach of containment and release of radioactive material.
What was the enviromental issue in urkraine?
a nuclear reactor had a nuclear meltdown
What is a nuclear reactor meltdown?
A nuclear meltdown is an informal term for a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating. A meltdown occurs when the heat generated by a nuclear reactor exceeds the heat removed by the cooling systems to the point which at least one nuclear fuel plate exceeds its melting point.
During an earthquake the cooling system of a nuclear reaction can be compromised increasing the threat of what?
a meltdown
What going to happen if the nuclear power plant melts down?
A meltdown is both good and bad:Good reactor design uses the meltdown to disassemble the fuel into a subcritical mass, causing the reactor to automatically shutdown.Bad reactor design can allow the fuel to enter places it should not go, possibly causing steam explosions, contamination outside the reactor containment, etc.
What is a dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor?
A dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor is called a nuclear meltdown. This occurs when the reactor core is unable to be cooled and may result in a breach of the containment structures, releasing radioactive material into the environment.
The only meltdown in a nuclear reactor to ever happen in the US happen where?
The only nuclear reactor meltdown in the US occurred at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in 1979. It was a partial meltdown caused by a combination of equipment failure and human error.
What is a hypothetical sequence of events following meltdown in a nuclear reactor?
China Syndrome
What is a radioactive meltdown?
A radioactive meltdown occurs when the core of a nuclear reactor overheats and melts due to a loss of cooling capacity, releasing large amounts of radioactive materials into the environment. This can lead to severe environmental contamination and health hazards for nearby populations.
What is a melt down?
Meltdown is a term that describes the melting of a nuclear-reactor core as a result of a nuclear accident
What is melt down?
Meltdown is a term that describes the melting of a nuclear-reactor core as a result of a nuclear accident
