Nuclear

Question 1

Mass defect

Answer 1

The difference between the mass of the nucleus and the sum of the rest masses of its constituent nucleons

Question 2

Binding energy

Answer 2

Amount of work needed to take all its constituent nucleons apart so that they are separated by an infinite distance from one another

Question 3

Isotope

Answer 3

Two or more forms of the same element, having the same number of protons but different number of neutrons in their nuclei

Question 4

Nuclear fission

Answer 4

The disintegration of very heavy unstable nuclides to 2 lighter nuclei of comparable mass, releasing energy in the process

Question 5

Nuclear fusion

Answer 5

The combination of lighter nuclides to form heavier, more stable nuclei,
releasing energy in the process

Question 6

Radioactive decay

Answer 6

The spontaneous decay of a nucleus with the emission of an alpha particle or a beta particle, and usually accompanied by the emission of a gamma ray photon

Question 7

Random

Answer 7

In any sample of a radioactive material, it is not possible to predict which nucleus will decay next and thus the decay happens randomly throughout the sample

Question 8

Spontaneous

Answer 8

It is unaffected by environmental factors such as temperature and pressure

Question 9

Half life

Answer 9

The time taken for half the number of radioactive nuclei present in any given sample of a given isotope to decay at any given time

Question 10

Activity

Answer 10

Number of nuclear disintegrations per unit time

Question 11

Decay constant

Answer 11

Probability of decay per unit time of a nucleus

Question 12

Count rate

Answer 12

The rate at which emissions from a radioactive source are detected