Unit 4 vocab Flashcards
The changing of substances to other substances by the breaking of bonds in reactants and the formation of bonds in products; these involve the electrons outside of the nucleus
Chemical Reaction
a process in which the structure of an atomic nucleus is altered through the release of energy or mass or by being broken apart; radioactive decay, fission, and fusion are examples of this.
nuclear reaction
atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number but different atomic masses due to a different number of neutrons.
isotopes
an isotope that has an unstable nucleus and undergoes radioactive decay.
radioisotope
the process by which unstable atomic nuclei achieve stability.
radioactivity
the penetrating rays and particles emitted by a radioactive source.
radiation
the spontaneous emission of radiation by an unstable nucleus; the rate of decay is unaffected by temperature, pressure, or catalysts.
radioactive decay
alpha particles emitted from a radioactive source
alpha radiation
a positively charged particle emitted from a certain radioactive nuclei; it consists of two protons and two neutrons and is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom (4/2 He)
alpha particles (a)
fast-moving electrons (beta particles) emitted from a radioactive source
beta radiation
a fast moving electron (0/-1e) emitted from certain radioactive nuclei; it is formed when a neutron decomposes into a proton and an electron.
beta particles (B)
high energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by certain radioactive nuclei; gamma rays have no mass or electrical charge.
gamms radiation (y)
An attractive force that acts between all nuclear particles that are extremely close together, such as protons and neutron in a nucleus; the nuclear force dominates over electromagnetic repulsions and holds the nucleus together.
strong nuclear force.
