On This Day – March 28 : The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania underwent a partial meltdown on this day in 1979

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Overheating in the reactor caused serious damage to fuel rods and created a pressure rise in the system. Valves were opened to lower this pressure but they failed to close again and released radioactive material into the environment.

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Nuclear reactors

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What happened today in chemistry? Explore 366 days of chemistry history at On This Day in Chemistry.

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Specification

Republic of Ireland
- Leaving Certificate
  - Chemistry
    - 1. Periodic table and atomic structure
      - 1.3 Radioactivity
        Depth of treatment
        Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation (nature and penetrating ability). One example of each of: an α-emitter, e.g. ²⁴¹Am a β-emitter, e.g. ¹⁴C a γ-emitter, e.g. ⁶⁰Co.
        Distinction between chemical reaction and nuclear reaction (simple equations required - confine examples to alpha and beta emissions).
        Social and Applied Aspects
        Widespread occurrence of radioactivity.
        Uses of radioisotopes (three examples).
- Junior Cycle
  - Science
    - The nature of science
      - Science in society
        9. Research and present information on the contribution that scientists make to scientific discovery and invention and its impact on society.
        10. Appreciate the role of science in society; and its personal, social and global importance; and how society influences scientific research.

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