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Atomic Energy
Chpt. 16 Vocabulary
word | Definition |
---|---|
radioactivity | the process by which an unstable nucleus gives off nuclear radiation |
mass number | the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom |
isotope | an atom that has the same number of protons (or the same atomic number) as other atoms or the same element do but that has a different number of neutrons (and thus a different atomic mass) |
half-life | the time needed for half of a sample of a radioactive substance to undergo radioactive decay |
nuclear fission | the splitting of the nucleus of a large atom into two or more fragments; releases additional neutrons and energy |
nuclear chain reaction | a continuous series of nuclear fission reactions |
nuclear fusion | the combination of the nuclei of small atoms to form a larger nucleus; releases energy |