Chapter 9- Radioactivity Flashcards
Nuclear decay
releasing energy that is stable from an unstable
Nuclear radiation
particles that were eased during nuclear decay
Alpha particles
positive charge and more massive than other type of nuclear radiation
Beta particles
type of radiation that travels farther
Neutron emission
matter being emitted from an unstable force
Gamma ray
doesn’t have an electrical charge and contains photons
Half-life
A half- life is when an atom loses an amount of mass over time
Fission
nucleus breaks into two or more parts
Nuclear chain reaction
when a piece of another atoms nucleus hits
Critical mass
The lowest mass of a fissionable isotope the gives a number of neutrons needed to sustain a chain reaction
Fusion
Nuclei combining at high temperatures with another nuclei
Strong nuclear force
A force that holds the nucleus of an atom together
Background radiation
Nuclear radiation that naturally comes from cosmic rays and radioactive isotopes in the air and soil
R.E.M.
can damage human tissue as 1 roentgens of high volt x-rays
Radioactive tracer
Radioactive material added to detect later.
