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[[File:PXK_reactor.jpg|thumb|A sabotaged PXK nuclear reactor]]
 
[[File:PXK_reactor.jpg|thumb|A sabotaged PXK nuclear reactor]]
A '''nuclear reactor''' is a device that uses [[uranium]] to create controlled [[nuclear fission|nuclear chain reactions]] and produces [[energy]] used to power other [[technology|technologies]], typically large [[planet]]ary installations or cities. Smaller reactors used to power [[vehicles]] are commonly called [[nuclear fission reactor]]s.
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A '''nuclear reactor''' was a device that used [[uranium]] to create controlled [[nuclear fission|nuclear chain reactions]] and produced [[energy]] used to power other [[technology|technologies]], typically large [[planet]]ary installations or cities. Smaller reactors used to power [[vehicles]] were commonly called [[nuclear fission reactor]]s.
   
The energy is created by sending a slow [[neutron]] though the center of an [[atom]] of uranium. With the relative large size of an atom of uranium, it cannot handle one more neutron, so it splits and sends out neutrons to the other atoms, and starts the process over again. This reaction was explained by the theories of [[Albert Einstein]].
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The energy was created by sending a slow [[neutron]] though the center of an [[atom]] of uranium. With the relative large size of an atom of uranium, it could not handle one more neutron, so it split and sent out neutrons to the other atoms, and started the process over again. This reaction was explained by the theories of [[Albert Einstein]].
   
Uncontrolled nuclear reactions are used in [[nuclear weapon]]s, and occasionally a malfunction or misuse in a nuclear reactor could also produce damaging effects.
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Uncontrolled nuclear reactions were used in [[nuclear weapon]]s, and occasionally a malfunction or misuse in a nuclear reactor could also produce damaging effects.
   
The [[PXK reactor]] is an example of a nuclear reactor. It was used in the [[2210s]], but was out of common use by the [[2240s]]. Due to an essential part being stolen, the reactor was to go supercritical in ten hours and irradiate half of the planet [[Janus VI]]. ({{TOS|The Devil in the Dark}})
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The [[PXK pergium reactor]] was an example of a nuclear reactor. It was used in the [[2210s]], but was out of common use by the [[2240s]]. Due to an [[main circulating pump|essential part]] being stolen, a PXK reactor was to go supercritical in ten hours and irradiate half of the planet [[Janus VI]]. ({{TOS|The Devil in the Dark}})
   
 
Nuclear reactors were used on [[Earth]] in [[1947]], as a few [[Ferengi]] [[temporal mechanics|time-travelers]] discovered. ({{DS9|Little Green Men}})
 
Nuclear reactors were used on [[Earth]] in [[1947]], as a few [[Ferengi]] [[temporal mechanics|time-travelers]] discovered. ({{DS9|Little Green Men}})
   
:''It appears that this term specifically refers to [[nuclear fission]]-based power sources, as the term [[fusion reactor]] is used to describe the energy source for [[impulse power|impulse engines]], which have existed since at least [[2169]], many years before the Janus VI incident. ({{TNG|Relics}}) [[Cardassian]] [[space station]] power sources are also specifically referred to as fusion reactors. ({{DS9|The Forsaken}})''
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{{bginfo|It appears that this term specifically refers to [[nuclear fission]]-based power sources, as the term [[fusion reactor]] is used to describe the energy source for [[impulse power|impulse engines]], which have existed since at least [[2169]], many years before the Janus VI incident. ''({{TNG|Relics}})''|[[Cardassian]] [[space station]] power sources were also specifically referred to as fusion reactors. ''({{DS9|The Forsaken}})}}
   
== External Links ==
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== External links ==
*{{wikipedia|Nuclear reactor}}
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* {{wikipedia|Nuclear reactor}}
*{{wikipedia|Nuclear power}}
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* {{wikipedia|Nuclear power}}
   
 
[[Category:Energy technology]]
 
[[Category:Energy technology]]
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[[de:Kernreaktor]]

Revision as of 21:42, 13 December 2012

PXK reactor

A sabotaged PXK nuclear reactor

A nuclear reactor was a device that used uranium to create controlled nuclear chain reactions and produced energy used to power other technologies, typically large planetary installations or cities. Smaller reactors used to power vehicles were commonly called nuclear fission reactors.

The energy was created by sending a slow neutron though the center of an atom of uranium. With the relative large size of an atom of uranium, it could not handle one more neutron, so it split and sent out neutrons to the other atoms, and started the process over again. This reaction was explained by the theories of Albert Einstein.

Uncontrolled nuclear reactions were used in nuclear weapons, and occasionally a malfunction or misuse in a nuclear reactor could also produce damaging effects.

The PXK pergium reactor was an example of a nuclear reactor. It was used in the 2210s, but was out of common use by the 2240s. Due to an essential part being stolen, a PXK reactor was to go supercritical in ten hours and irradiate half of the planet Janus VI. (TOS: "The Devil in the Dark")

Nuclear reactors were used on Earth in 1947, as a few Ferengi time-travelers discovered. (DS9: "Little Green Men")

It appears that this term specifically refers to nuclear fission-based power sources, as the term fusion reactor is used to describe the energy source for impulse engines, which have existed since at least 2169, many years before the Janus VI incident. (TNG: "Relics")
Cardassian space station power sources were also specifically referred to as fusion reactors. (DS9: "The Forsaken")

External links