Term | Definition |
alpha particle | Positively charged particle emitted by various radioactive materials during decay. It consists of two neutrons and two protons. They moves relatively slow, and can be stopped by most solid objects. |
beta particle | high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei during decay |
chain reaction | a chemical reaction or other process that spread or cause other reactions. |
daughter isotope | the remaining nuclide left over from radioactive decay. |
decay curve | A graph line representing the decrease of radioactivity with the passage of time. |
fission | a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts |
fusion | a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of an atom combines to form a bigger nuclei |
gamma radiation | electromagnetic radiation of high-energy photons. It's very penetrative, and is harmful to organics. |
half-life | The amount of time it takes for a nuclei to decay completely. |
isotopes | atoms that have the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons. |
light | |
mass number | is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom |
nuclear equation | an equation to describe nuclear reaction |
nuclear reaction | the process in which two nuclei, or a nucleus of an atom and a subatomic particle collide to produce one or more nuclides that are different from the nuclide(s) that began the process |
parent isotope | an atom that undergoes decay to form a daughter isotope |
radiation | emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles |
radioactive decay | |
radiocarbon dating | a method for determining the age of an object containing organic material by using the properties of radiocarbon, a radioactive isotope of carbon. |