Radioactivity definitions Flashcards
Isotopes
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Atomic mass
The total mass of an atom
Atomic number
The number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom of that elemtent
Mass number for isotopes
The total number of protons and neutrons in its’s nucleus
Relative atomic mass
The relative mass of that element. ( Total mass of the atoms/ total number of atoms.
Stable isotope
A stable isotope is an isotope which does not decay overtime because it has a balanced ratio of protons and neutrons.
Radiosiotope
An isotope that undergoes radioactive decay releasing radiation as it transforms into a more stable form.
Half life
The time taken for 50% of the radioactive isotope to decay.
Fission
When two atoms slam into a larger atom forcing it to excite and split into two smaller atoms.
Fusion
When two atoms slam together to form a heavier atom.
No. of protons =
No. of electrons
No. of protons + No. of neutrons =
Mass number
