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Nuclear Processes
Question | Answer |
---|---|
isotope | Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons |
radioactive | Unstable nucleus; gives off radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays |
Alpha particle | Equivalent to a helium nucleus with 2 protons and 2 neutrons; positvely charged particle emitted by certain radioactive nuclei; low energy |
Beta particle | Electrons emitted by an unstable atom; more able to penetrate matter than alpha particles; can be stopped by lead (medium energy) |
Gamma ray | High energy x-rays; can only be stopped by thick lead or concrete |
Radioactive decay | Causes an atom of one element to become a different element by reducing its atomic number |
Half life | The time required for one half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay |
fission | Occurs when the nucleus of an atom that has many protons and neutrons becomes so unstable that it splits into two smaller atoms; can be spontaneous or induced (Think: fissure) |
Spontaneous fission | Natural process that occurs mostly in the transactinide elements |
Induced fission | Process of firing neutrons at heavy atoms to make them split |
fusion | Opposite of fission; involves joining (fusing) two small atoms to form one larger atom; occurs in the sun and other stars where extremely high temperatures allow hydrogen isotopes to collide and fuse, releasing energy |
Fission fragments | Products of an atom split by neutron bombardment |