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BJU Physical Sci 8
BJU Physical Science - Ch 8 6th edition
Term | Definition |
---|---|
alpha decay | A nuclear decay that results in the emission of an alpha particle. |
beta decay | A nuclear decay that results in the emission of a beta particle. |
chain reaction | A self-sustaining nuclear fission process in which neutrons produced in one fission reaction trigger more fission events. |
critical mass | The smallest mass of fissionable material that can sustain a chain reaction. |
fission | A nuclear reaction in which a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei. |
fusion | A nuclear reaction in which small nuclei combine to form a more massive nucleus. |
gamma decay | A nuclear decay that results in the emission of gamma rays. |
genetic damage | Any damage done to DNA in cells that can affect growth and reproduction of the cells; can be passed to offspring if it occurs in reproductive cells. |
half life | The time in which half the atoms of a radio-active sample will probably decay. |
radioactive decay | The naturally occurring, spontaneous change of an unstable isotope to a more stable one by emitting particles or energy or both; also know as nuclear decay or radioactivity. |
radiotracer | A radioactive isotope used in nuclear medicine to study how an isotope moves through or collects in a certain organ or system. |
somatic damage | Any damage to cells that are not involved in reproduction, thus harming the organism but not any future offspring. |
strong force | An attractive force that holds protons and neutrons together in a nucleus. |