M2 Flashcards
a process in which one or more nuclides are produced from the collisions between two atomic nuclei or one
atomic nucleus and a subatomic particle
Nuclear reaction
A nuclide before disintegration is called a
parent nuclide
a nuclide after disintegration is called a
daughter nuclide
are processes in which a nucleus either combines with another nucleus
(through nuclear fusion) or splits into smaller nuclei (through nuclear fission).
nuclear reactions
processes in which a nucleus combines with another nucleus
nuclear fusion
nucleus splits into smaller nuclei
nuclear fission
a process by which the nuclei of a nuclide
emit alpha, beta, or gamma rays.
radioactive decay
property exhibited by
certain types of matter emitting energy and subatomic particles spontaneously
radioactivity
a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and thereby transforms or ‘decays’ into a different atomic nucleus, with a mass number that is reduced by four and an atomic number that is
reduced by two.
alpha decay
alpha (α) particle also known as
helium nucleus
alpha decay, an unstable
nucleus releases
2 neutrons
2 protons
a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (fast energetic electron or positron) is emitted from an atomic nucleus, transforming the original
nuclide to an isobar (each of two or more isotopes of different elements, with the same atomic mass).
Beta decay
a fast energetic
electron or positron
beta particle
each of two or more
isotopes of different elements, with the same
atomic mass
isobar
In _________ of an unstable nucleus, a neutron suddenly changes to a proton, releasing an electron, a ghostly, low mass particle called a neutrino (not pictured), and energy!
beta decay
The released electron come from the
inside of nucleus
The released electron did
not come from outside the
nucleus. It came from inside the nucleus. It is called
beta (β) particle
a type of radioactivity in which some unstable atomic nuclei dissipate excess energy by a spontaneous electromagnetic process. This often happens after alpha or beta decay has
occurred. Since only energy is emitted during
gamma decay, the number
of protons remains the same.
gamma radiation