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Atomic Energy
Chapter 16 Vocabulary
Word | Definition |
---|---|
radioactivity | the process by which an unstable nucleus gives off nuclear radiation |
mass number | the sum of numbers of protonsand neutrons in the nucleus of an atom |
isotopes | atoms that have the same number of protons as other atoms of the same element do but have different number of neutrons |
half-life | the amount of time it takes one-half of the nuclei of a radioactive isotope to decay |
nuclear fission | the process by which a large nucleus splits into two small nuclei and releases energy |
nuclear chain reaction | a continuous series of nuclear fission reactions |
nuclear fission | two or more nuclei that have small masses combine,or fuse, toform a larger nucleus |