atomic energy noun

Nuclear energy

atomic mass unit noun

1/12 of the mass of an atom of carbon-12

atomic number noun

The number of units of charge of positive electricity on the nucleus of an atom of an element

atomic philosophy noun

A system of philosophy enunciated by Democritus, which taught that the ultimate constituents of all things are indivisible particles, differing in form and in their relations to each other

atomic pile noun

An early name for a device for the controlled release of nuclear energy, eg a lattice of small rods of natural uranium embedded in a mass of pure graphite which serves to slow down neutrons

atomic power, atomic radiator see atomic above.

atomic second noun

A time interval whose measurement uses the frequency of radiation emitted or absorbed during transition from one energy state to another of a chosen atom

atomic theory noun

The hypothesis that all atoms of the same element are alike and that a compound is formed by union of atoms of different elements in some simple ratio

atomic time noun

Time whose unit is the atomic second

atomic transmutation noun

The change of one type of atom to another as a result of a nuclear reaction

atomic volume noun

The atomic weight of an element divided by its density

atomic warfare noun

Warfare using atomic weapons

atomic weight noun

Relative atomic mass (qv under relate)

aˈtom-smasher noun (informal)

An apparatus for breaking up the atom, an accelerator

Atomic Energy Authority and Atomic Energy Commission

The respective bodies in Britain and the USA responsible for the development and control of atomic energy

primeval atom

A hypothetical dense conglomerate from whose explosion 60 thousand million years ago the universe was (according to one theory) gradually formed

nuclear /nūˈkli-ər/

adjective

1. Of, or of the nature of, a nucleus
2. Relating to the nucleus of an atom or the nuclei of atoms
3. Relating to, derived from, or powered by the fission or fusion of atomic nuclei
4. Possessing nuclear weapons

nuclearizāˈtion or nuclearisāˈtion noun

nuˈclearize or nuˈclearise transitive verb

1. To make nuclear
2. To supply or fit with nuclear weapons

nuclear binding energy noun

The binding energy that holds together the constituent nucleons of the nucleus of an atom, always less than that of their constituent protons and neutrons

nuclear charge noun

A positive charge arising in the atomic nucleus because of protons, equal in number to the atomic number

nuclear chemistry noun (chem)

The study of reactions involving the transmutation of elements by spontaneous decay or particle bombardment

nuclear disarmament noun

A country's act of giving up its nuclear weapons

nuclear energy noun

A more exact term for atomic energy, energy released or absorbed during reactions taking place in atomic nuclei

nuclear family noun

The basic family unit consisting of the mother and father with their children

nuclear fission noun

Spontaneous or induced splitting of an atomic nucleus

nuclear-free zone noun

An area in which the transport, storage, manufacture and deployment of nuclear weapons, and the transport or disposal of nuclear waste, are officially prohibited

nuclear fuel noun

Material, such as uranium or plutonium, consumed to produce nuclear energy (also called atomic fuel)

nuclear fusion noun

The creation of a new nucleus by merging two lighter ones, with the release of energy

nuclear magnetic resonance noun

Resonance which can be produced in nuclei or most isotopes of the elements and which helps to identify the particular atoms involved, used in the practice of magnetic resonance imaging

nuclear medicine noun

The diagnosis and treatment of disease using radiation detectors or radioactive materials

nuclear physics noun

The science of forces and transformations within the nucleus of the atom

nuclear power noun

Power obtained from a controlled nuclear reaction

nuclear-powˈered adjective

nuclear reaction noun

A process in which an atomic nucleus interacts with another nucleus or particle, producing changes in energy and nuclear structure

nuclear reactor noun

1. An assembly of fissile material with a moderator, in which a nuclear chain reaction is produced and maintained
2. The apparatus housing this

nuclear sexing noun

Testing a person's sex by examining cells from inside the cheek which, in females, have a material near the nucleus that can be stained blue

nuclear threshold noun

The point in an armed conflict when nuclear weapons are resorted to

nuclear umbrella noun

Protection provided by an alliance with a nuclear power

nuclear warfare noun

Warfare using nuclear weapons

nuclear waste noun

Radioactive waste

nuclear weapon noun

A bomb, missile, etc deriving its destructive force from the energy released by a nuclear reaction

nuclear winter noun

The period of lack of sunlight and resulting severe cold predicted by scientists as the aftermath of a nuclear war