reactor

/riˈæktər/

/riˈæktə/

Other forms: reactors

A reactor is where a nuclear reaction is controlled, making it possible to create energy or any number of artificial elements.

Reactor these days almost always refers to a nuclear reactor, where atomic fission of uranium or plutonium creates the heat used to make steam to generate electricity. Originally, though, reactor meant a vessel in which chemical processes were made to generate useful products such as nylon and artificial sweetener. These reactors are still used in chemical manufacturing plants.

Definitions of reactor

1. noun

   (physics) any of several kinds of apparatus that maintain and control a nuclear reaction for the production of energy or artificial elements
   synonyms: nuclear reactor

   types:

   atomic pile, atomic reactor, chain reactor, pile

   a nuclear reactor that uses controlled nuclear fission to generate energy

   breeder reactor

   a nuclear reactor that produces more fissile material than it burns

   fast reactor

   nuclear reactor in which nuclear fissions are caused by fast neutrons because little or no moderator is used

   gas-cooled reactor

   a nuclear reactor using gas as a coolant

   liquid metal reactor

   a nuclear reactor using liquid metal as a coolant

   thermal reactor

   a nuclear reactor in which nuclear fissions are caused by neutrons that are slowed down by a moderator

   fusion reactor, thermonuclear reactor

   a nuclear reactor that uses controlled nuclear fusion to generate energy

   water-cooled reactor

   nuclear reactor using water as a coolant

   BWR, boiling water reactor

   a nuclear reactor that uses water as a coolant and moderator; the water boils in the reactor core and the steam produced can drive a steam turbine

   PWR, pressurized water reactor

   a nuclear reactor that uses water as a coolant and moderator; the steam produced can drive a steam turbine

   type of:

   apparatus, setup

   equipment designed to serve a specific function
2. noun

   an electrical device used to introduce reactance into a circuit
   types:

   coil

   reactor consisting of a spiral of insulated wire that introduces inductance into a circuit

   armature

   coil in which voltage is induced by motion through a magnetic field

   astatic coils

   an arrangement of coils used in sensitive electrical instruments; the coils are arranged to give zero resultant external magnetic field when a current passes through them and to have zero electromotive force induced in them by an external magnetic field

   choke, choke coil, choking coil

   a coil of low resistance and high inductance used in electrical circuits to pass direct current and attenuate alternating current

   field coil, field winding

   the electric coil around a field magnet that produces the magneto motive force to set up the flux in an electric machine

   induction coil

   a coil for producing a high voltage from a low-voltage source

   primary, primary coil, primary winding

   coil forming the part of an electrical circuit such that changing current in it induces a current in a neighboring circuit

   head, read/write head

   (computer science) a tiny electromagnetic coil and metal pole used to write and read magnetic patterns on a disk

   secondary, secondary coil, secondary winding

   coil such that current is induced in it by passing a current through the primary coil

   solenoid

   a coil of wire around an iron core; becomes a magnet when current passes through the coil

   tickler coil

   a small coil in series with the anode of a vacuum tube and coupled to the grid to provide feedback

   type of:

   electrical device

   a device that produces or is powered by electricity