Chapter 25: Nuclear Physics Flashcards
What is nuclear physics?
“Nuclear physics is the branch of physics that studies atomic nuclei and their interactions
What is the structure of an atom?
“An atom consists of a central nucleus made of protons and neutrons
What is the strong nuclear force?
“The strong nuclear force is the force that holds protons and neutrons together within an atomic nucleus
What is nuclear decay?
“Nuclear decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation
What is alpha radiation?
“Alpha radiation consists of the emission of an alpha particle
What is beta radiation?
“Beta radiation involves the emission of a beta particle (an electron or positron) from a nucleus
What is gamma radiation?
“Gamma radiation consists of high-energy photons emitted from the nucleus of an atom
What is a half-life?
“A half-life is the time required for half of the atoms in a sample of a radioactive substance to decay into another substance.”
What is the equation for the activity of a radioactive substance?
“The activity (A) of a radioactive substance is given by A = λN
What is the relationship between activity and half-life?
“The activity of a radioactive substance decreases over time as it decays. The relationship between the half-life (T₁/₂) and the decay constant (λ) is given by λ = ln(2) / T₁/₂.”
What is the concept of nuclear fission?
“Nuclear fission is the process in which a heavy atomic nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei
What is nuclear fusion?
“Nuclear fusion is the process in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus
What is the principle behind nuclear reactors?
“Nuclear reactors use controlled nuclear fission to release energy. Uranium or plutonium nuclei are bombarded with neutrons
What is the chain reaction in nuclear fission?
“A chain reaction in nuclear fission occurs when the products of a fission event (like neutrons) cause further fission events
What is the concept of binding energy?
“Binding energy is the energy required to separate a nucleus into its individual protons and neutrons. It is also the energy released when a nucleus is formed from these particles.”
What is the concept of mass defect?
“The mass defect is the difference between the mass of a nucleus and the sum of the masses of its individual protons and neutrons. This difference is due to the release of binding energy.”
What is the equation for binding energy?
“The binding energy (E) is given by E = Δmc²
What is the concept of nuclear forces?
“Nuclear forces are the short-range forces that hold protons and neutrons together in the nucleus
What is the concept of the energy-mass equivalence?
“The energy-mass equivalence principle
