Chapter 23- Vocab Flashcards
β (beta) radiation - beta particles
An electron ejected at high speed from certain radioactive substances
α (alpha) radiation - alpha particles
A positively charged particle ejected at high speed from certain radioactive substances; a helium nucleus
γ (gamma) radiation - gamma ray
High-energy electromagnetic radiation
Nuclear reactions
A reaction involving one or more atomic nuclei, resulting in a change in the identities of the isotopes
Radioactive decay series
A series of nuclear reactions by which a radioactive isotope decays to form a stable isotope
Positron emission (0,+1 β)
A nuclear decay process by which a nuclear particle having the same mass as an electron but a positive charge is involved
Electron capture
A nuclear process in which an inner shell electron is captured
Band of stability
A very narrow range into which stable isotopes fall
Nuclear binding energy (E_b)
The energy required to separate the nucleus of an atom into protons and neutrons
Mass defect
The “missing mass” which is equated with energy that holds the nuclear particles together
Nucleon
The general name given to a nuclear particle—protons and neutrons
Activity (A)
A measure of the rate of nuclear decay, the number of disintegration’s observed per unit time. Activity is proportional to the number of radioactive atoms present (N)
Nuclear fission
The process in which the nucleus splits into smaller pieces – protons and neutrons
Chain reaction
A mechanism in which each step generates a reactant to continue the reaction
Nuclear fusion
A reaction in which several small nuclei react to form a larger nucleus (huge amounts of energy can be generated)
