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Glossary - A
ALARA
Acronym for As
Low as Reasonably Achievable. The ALARA Principle is not a dose limit but a process. In the course of their work, some individuals may receive exposure above natural background levels. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) carefully monitors these levels at all nuclear facilities and sets limits for acceptable exposure.
Source: NB Power
Alpha Radiation
A positively charged particle made up of two
neutrons and two protons. It is the least
penetrating of the three common forms of radiation,
and can be stopped by a sheet of paper.
Source: AECL
As Low as Reasonably
Achievable
One of the three basic criteria recommended by the
International Commission on Radiological Protection (www.icrp.org )
to minimize radiation risks.
Source: AECL
Atomic Energy of
Canada Limited
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (www.aecl.ca)
is a Crown corporation set up by the Government of Canada in 1952 to develop
peaceful uses of nuclear energy. AECL
develops, markets, sells and builds CANDU power
reactors and provides engineering, consulting, custom-manufacturing and field
services to nuclear utilities.
Source: AECL
Atom
The basic building block of all matter. An atom has a
nucleus made up of positively charged protons
and neutral neutrons surrounded by orbiting
electrons whose negative charge balances that of the protons in the
nucleus.
Source: AECL
Atomic Number
The number assigned to each element on the basis of
the number of protons found in the element's
nucleus.
Source: AECL
Atomic Weight (Atomic Mass)
Approximately the sum of the number of
protons and neutrons found in the
nucleus of an atom.
Source: AECL
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