| Word |
 |
|
| definition |
|
|
| alpha particle |
weakes type of neclear radiation |
| artificial transmutation |
changin of one element into another by unnatural means |
| gamma ray |
high frequency electromagnet wave released during gamma decay |
| beta particle |
electron reated in the nucleus of an atom, relesed during decay |
| binding energy |
energy required to break up a nucleus into its component protons and neutrons |
| decay series |
sequence of steps by which a radioactive nucleus decays into a non radioactive nucleus. |
| half life |
amount of time it takes for half of the atom in a given sample of an element to decay |
| radioactive decay |
process in which a nucleus spontaneously emits particles or rays to become lighter and more stable |
| radioactivity |
release of energy and matter that results in changes of the nucleus in an atom |
| tracer |
radioactive element whose pathway can be follwed thru the steps of a chemical reaction or industrial process |
| transmutation |
when an element changes into another element |
| critical mass |
the max. amount of mass a atom can hold |
| nuclear chain reaction |
series of fission reactions that occur because the products released during one fission reaction cause fission reactions in other atoms |
| nuclear fissions |
splitting of an atomic nucleus into 2 dmaller nulei of smaller mass to form a single nucleus of larger mass |
| nuclear reactor |
A device in which a fission chain reaction can be initiated, maintained, and controlled. Its essential components are fissionable fuel, moderator, shielding, control rods, and coolant |
| transuranium element |
element formed synthetically |
HHS Shrek
