01:460:207 Final: Environmental Geology Final Exam
21 Jun 2017
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Renewable sources solar energy, hydropower, wind, biomass. Fusion combining of smaller nuclei into larger ones with the release of energy. H nuclei (1 proton) fused helium. Fusion of heavier h isotopes (deuterium:1 proton and 1 neutron/tritium: 1 proton and 2 neutrons) easier to achieve. Need extremely high temperatures (millions of degrees) Need to use less energy to create high temperatures. Most interest: uranium - 235, 92 protons, 143 neutrons. Fission splitting apart of atomic nuclei into smaller ones with the release of energy. 2- nucleus splits into 2 larger nuclei releasing additional neutrons and energy. 3- new neutrons induce fission in other u-235 nuclei more energy, more neutrons (chain reaction) Core meltdown occurs when the flow of cooling h20 to reactor core is interrupted resulting in overheating of core. Fuel + core materials will deteriorate into molten mass that might/not melt out of containment building releasing high levels of radiation into the environment.
