| Question |
Answer |
| alpha decay
| A nuclear reaction in which an alpha particle is emitted. |
| alpha particles
| A particle made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons; a helium nucleus. |
| atomic mass | The total of the masses of the particles in an atom. |
| atomic mass unit (amu) | A unit used to measure the mass of an atom; 1/12 of the mass of a carbon-12 atom. |
| atomic number | The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. |
| beta decay | A nuclear reaction in which a beta particle is emitted. |
| beta particles | A free electron emitted from a nucleus in nuclear decay. |
| chain reaction | A nuclear change that occurs when one unstable nucleus emits neutrons, which cause other nuclei to split and release neutrons, which hit other nuclei and continue the reaction, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. |
| electrons | A negatively charged particle with an extremely small mass. |
| energy levels | A region in an atom that contains electrons of a certain energy. |
| fission | The splitting of a nucleus. |
| fusion | The joining together of smaller nuclei into a larger one. |
| gamma rays | A form of radiation consisting of high-energy electromagnetic waves; electromagnetic waves that originate in the nucleus of an atom; the type of electromagnetic waves with the highest frequencies. |
| isotopes | Different forms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. |
| isotopic notation | The special notation that an isotope is indicated by. |
| law of definite proportions | A chemical compound is always made up of the same elements in the same proportions. |
| mass number | The sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom; also known as atomic mass. |
| neutrons | A neutral particle in the nucleus of an atom, with approximately the same mass as a proton. |
| nuclear bombardment reaction | Occurs when the nucleus is struck with atomic particles or other nuclei. |
| nuclear chemistry | The study of reactions involving atomic nuclei. |
| nucleus | The center of an atom, which contains protons and neutrons. |
| orbitals | Regions of most probable location of electrons. |
| planetary model | Bohr's model of an atom; it looks like a miniature 3-D solar system. |
| protons | A positively charged particle in the nucleus of an atom; 1836 times heavier than an electron. |
| quantum mode | Represents the location of electrons as general and indefinite, with electrons being present in cloud-like orbitals. |
| radioactivity | The emission of rays and particles from an unstable nucleus. |
| theory of relativity | E=mc*2; an equation that establishes the relationship between loss of mass and loss of energy; that mass and energy are equivalent. |
Biology Lab Midterm
