Page 25 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

fission: the breakdown of the structure of an atom, popularly called “splitting the atom” because the atom is split into approximately two other nuclei. This is different from, for example, the small change that happens when radioactivity is emitted.
mineral: a solid substance made of just one element or chemical compound.
Uranium reprocessing
Concentrated “enriched” uranium oxide (containing more uranium-235 than normal) is used in the form of rods as a fuel in nuclear reactors. Over time the reaction inside the nuclear reactor changes the uranium to other materials. Thus the amount of uranium left in the fuel rods decreases, and a point is reached where there is not enough uranium left
to keep the reactor going. At this stage the uranium has to be reprocessed, separating out the unspent uranium and reforming it into rods.
Uranium produces helium
As uranium decays it releases alpha particles, which capture electrons from other atoms to form helium gas. This is the source of helium gas trapped in ancient rocks. However, uranium can also be made to split into new nuclei when it
is bombarded by neutrons. This latter property is used in weapons and reactors.
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