Nuclear energy fundamentals
- Nuclear fission
- Nuclear chain reaction
- Controlled fission in power generation
- Nuclear fusion
- Mass-energy conversion
- Thermal reactors use slowed neutrons to sustain fission
- Fast reactors sustain fission without a neutron-slowing moderator
- A coolant removes heat while a moderator slows neutrons
- Criticality maintains a self-sustaining fission chain reaction
- Liquid sodium transfers heat at high temperature without high operating pressure
- Sodium reaction with air or water requires engineered protection
- Residual decay heat requires cooling after the fission chain reaction stops
- Defence in depth combines prevention, control and mitigation layers