IPA: //ˈmæɡnɒks//
KK: /mægˈnɒks/
A type of alloy made from magnesium and aluminum, used as a protective covering for fuel rods in certain nuclear power plants.
The engineers chose magnox for the cladding of the fuel rods due to its unique properties.
This word originates from Latin 'magnus' (meaning great or large) and 'nox' (meaning night). The term 'magnox' refers to a type of nuclear reactor that uses a large amount of liquid metal coolant, emphasizing its significant or great capacity for energy production.
Think of 'great' ('magnus') and 'night' ('nox') to remember that 'magnox' refers to a powerful type of reactor, emphasizing its large energy capacity.