Science Ch18 Voc Flashcards
Particle consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons that is emitted from a decaying atomic nucleus
Alpha particle
Electron that is emitted from a decaying atomic nucleus
Beta particle
Radiation detector, consisting of a container of superheated liquid under high pressure, that is used to detect the paths of charged particles
Bubble chamber
Ongoing series of fission reactions
Chain reaction
Radiation detector that uses water or ethanol vapor to detect the paths of charged particles
Cloud chamber
Amount of fissionable material required so that each fission reaction produces approximately one more fission reaction
Critical mass
Electromagnetic wave with no mass and no charge that travels at the speed of light and is usually emitted with alpha or beta particles from a decaying atomic nucleus, has a wavelength less than about ten trillionths
Gamma ray
Radiation detector that produces a click or a flash of light when a charged particle is detected
Geiger counter
Amount of time it takes for half the nuclei in a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay
Half-life
Process of splitting an atomic nucleus into 2 or more nuclei with smaller masses
Nuclear fission
Reaction in which 2 or more atomic nuclei form a nucleus with a larger mass
Nuclear fusion
Process that occurs when a nucleus when a nucleus decays and emits alpha, bet or gamma radiation
Radioactivity
Attractive force that acts between protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus
Strong force
Radioactive isotope, such as iodine-131, that can be detected by the radiation it emits after it is absorbed by a living organism
Tracer
Process of changing one element to another through radioactive decay
Transmutation
