Portal:Nuclear technology/Intro: Difference between revisions

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This symbol of radioactivity is internationally recognized.

Nuclear technology is technology that involves the reactions of atomic nuclei. It has found applications from smoke detectors to nuclear reactors, and from gun sights to nuclear weapons. There is a huge deal of public concern about its possible implications, and every application of nuclear technology is reviewed with care. Despite the fears that many people have of nuclear energy, it is a very safe energy source.

Nuclear power is the controlled use of nuclear reactions (currently limited to nuclear fission and radioactive decay) to do useful work including propulsion, heat, and the generation of electricity. Nuclear energy is produced when a fissile material, such as uranium-235, is concentrated such that the natural rate of radioactive decay is accelerated in a controlled chain reaction and creates heat – which is used to boil water, produce steam, and drive a steam turbine. This turbine can be used for mechanical work and also generate electricity.

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 [[Image:Radioactive.svg|right|100px|This symbol of radioactivity is internationally recognized.]]
-'''[[Nuclear technology]]''' is technology that involves the reactions of [[atomic nucleus|atomic nuclei]].  It has found applications from [[smoke detector]]s to [[nuclear reactor]]s, and from [[gun sight]]s to [[nuclear weapon]]s.  There is a great deal of public concern about its possible implications, and every application of nuclear technology is reviewed with care.
+'''[[Nuclear technology]]''' is technology that involves the reactions of [[atomic nucleus|atomic nuclei]].  It has found applications from [[smoke detector]]s to [[nuclear reactor]]s, and from [[gun sight]]s to [[nuclear weapon]]s.  There is a huge deal of public concern about its possible implications, and every application of nuclear technology is reviewed with care. Despite the fears that many people have of nuclear energy, it is a very safe energy source.
-'''[[Nuclear power]]''' is the controlled use of [[nuclear reactions]] (currently limited to [[nuclear fission]] and [[radioactive decay]]) to do useful work including propulsion, heat, and the generation of electricity. Nuclear energy is produced when a fissile material, such as [[uranium]]-235, is concentrated such that the natural rate of [[radioactive decay]] is accelerated in a controlled [[chain reaction]] and creates [[heat]] – which is used to boil water, produce steam, and drive a steam turbine. This turbine can be used for mechanical work and also to generate [[electricity]].
+'''[[Nuclear power]]''' is the controlled use of [[nuclear reactions]] (currently limited to [[nuclear fission]] and [[radioactive decay]]) to do useful work including propulsion, heat, and the generation of electricity. Nuclear energy is produced when a fissile material, such as [[uranium]]-235, is concentrated such that the natural rate of [[radioactive decay]] is accelerated in a controlled [[chain reaction]] and creates [[heat]] – which is used to boil water, produce steam, and drive a steam turbine. This turbine can be used for mechanical work and also generate [[electricity]].