Radioactivity Flashcards
Alpha Radiation
ionizing radiation consisting of alpha particles, emitted by some substances undergoing radioactive decay.
Beta Radiation
a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted in the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus, such as a potassium-40 nucleus, in the process of beta decay
Gamma Radiation
Gamma rays with a mass of 0. Have a straight line and no deflection.
Radioactive
emitting or relating to the emission of ionizing radiation or particles.
Isotope
each of two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, and hence differ in relative atomic mass but not in chemical properties; in particular, a radioactive form of an element.
Half life
the time taken for the radioactivity of a specified isotope to fall to half its original value.
radiometric dating
determining the ages of rocks and fossils based on the rate of decay or half-life of particular isotopes
radiocarbon dating
a method of determining the age of a fossil using the remaining amount of unchanged radioactive carbon. All living organisms have the same proportion of radioactive and nonradioactive carbon atoms, but this changes after they die.
nuclear reactors
power plant where the radioactive properties of uranium are used to generate electricity
Fuel roads
one of the rods that form the fuel source of a nuclear reactor; contains the fissile nuclides needed to produce a nuclear chain reaction
Fission
splitting of the nuclei of large atoms into two smaller atoms and several neutrons, releasing radiation and heat energy
external radiotherapy
cancer treatment where radiation is directed from an external machine to the site of the cancer
internal radiotherapy
cancer treatment is also known as brachytherapy. Radioisotopes are placed inside the body at, or near, the site of cancer.
brachytherapy
cancer treatment is also known as internal radiotherapy. Radioisotopes are placed inside the body at, or near, the site of cancer.
melt-down
the melting of a nuclear-reactor core as a result of a serious nuclear accident
ground zero
centre of a nuclear weapon blast
thermal flash
enormous amounts of heat and radiation that spread out from the centre of a nuclear blast
electromagnetic pulse
a burst of electromagnetic activity caused by the detonation of nuclear devices
Chemical Reactions
a process that involves rearrangement of the molecular or ionic structure of a substance, as distinct from a change in physical form or a nuclear reaction.
Exothermic
(of a reaction or process) accompanied by the release of heat.
(of a compound) formed from its constituent elements with a net release of heat.
Endothermic
(of a reaction or process) accompanied by or requiring the absorption of heat.
(of a compound) requiring a net input of heat for its formation from its constituent elements.
Precipitate
cause (a substance) to be deposited in solid form from a solution.
“cell proteins were then precipitated and washed in 10% trichloroacetic acid”
cause (drops of moisture or particles of dust) to be deposited from the atmosphere or from a vapour or suspension.
Reactants
a substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a reaction.
Products
a substance that is formed as the result of a chemical reaction.
State
one of the ways in which matter can interact with itself to form a homogeneous phase. Examples: solid, liquids, gases, plasma.
Aqueous
a solution in which the solvent is water.
Coefficients
the number of molecules (or atoms) involved in the reaction.
Synthesis Reactions
a type of reaction in which multiple reactants combine to form a single product.
Decomposition Reactions
a type of chemical reaction in which a single compound breaks down into two or more elements or new compounds.
Combustion Reactions
an exothermic reaction in which something reacts with oxygen.
Single Displacement Reactions
a type of chemical reaction where an element reacts with a compound and takes the place of another element in that compound.
Double Displacement Reactions
a type of chemical reaction where two compounds react, and the positive ions (cation) and the negative ions (anion) of the two reactants switch places, forming two new compounds or products.
Precipitation
the action or process of precipitating a substance from a solution.
Acid-base Reactions
a type of chemical process typified by the exchange of one or more hydrogen ions,
