Nuclear Physics Flashcards
Nuclide
A species of atom characterized by the specific constitution of the nucleus, i.e. Number of protons and neutrons
Proton number
Number of protons in the nucleus
Nucleon number
Number of nucleons in the nucleus
Isotopes
Atoms with same number of protons but different number of neutrons
Atomic mass unit (u)
One unified atomic mass unit is one-twelfth the mass of the carbon-12 atom
Radioactive decay
A spontaneous and random process where an unstable nuclide changes into a different nuclide, emitting radiation as it does so
Nuclear fission
Occurs when a large atomic nucleus splits into 2 smaller nuclei of approximately same size
Nuclear fusion
Occurs when 2 smaller atomic nuclei join together to form a single larger nucleus
Spontaneous process
The process is not triggered or affected by external factors or influences
Random process
Means that it is impossible to predict exactly which radioactive nuclide will decay or when any particular nuclide will decay
Binding energy
Binding energy of a nucleus is the energy required to separate the nucleus into its constituent neutrons and protons
Binding energy per nucleon
The average energy required to remove a nucleon from the nucleus
Activity
The number of disintegrations per unit time
Decay constant
The probability per unit time that a nucleus will decay
Half-life
Half-life of a radioactive nuclide is the average time taken for half of original number of nuclei in a sample of the radioactive nuclide to decay
