Module #16 Vocabulary Flashcards
Nuclear Fusion
The process by which two or more small nuclei fuse to make a bigger nucleus.
Nuclear Fission
The process by which a large nucleus is split into smaller nuclei.
Critical Mass
The amount of isotope necessary to sustain a chain reaction.
Absolute Magnitude
The brightness of a star, corrected for distance, on a scale of -8 to 19. The SMALLER the number, the BRIGHTER the star.
Apparent Magnitude
The brightness of a star as seen in the night sky. The SMALLER the number, the BRIGHTER the star.
Light Year
The distance light could travel along a straight line in one year.
Galaxy
A large ensemble of stars, all interacting through gravitational force and orbiting around a common center.