Nuclear meltdown

Definition

A nuclear meltdown refers to a severe nuclear reactor accident where the reactor's core overheats, causing the fuel rods to melt. This can lead to the release of radioactive materials into the environment.

Analogy

Imagine a pot of boiling water on a stove. If you leave it unattended for too long and all the water evaporates, eventually the pot will become so hot that it melts. Similarly, in a nuclear meltdown, if the reactor becomes too hot and there is no proper cooling, the fuel rods can melt.

Related terms

Radiation leak: A radiation leak occurs when radioactive materials escape from their containment and are released into the surrounding environment.

Containment vessel: The containment vessel is a thick concrete structure that surrounds a nuclear reactor to prevent radioactive materials from escaping in case of an accident.

Core meltdown sequence: The core meltdown sequence refers to the series of events that occur during a nuclear meltdown, starting with loss of coolant and ending with fuel rod melting.