| Question |
 |
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| Answer |
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| alpha particle |
weakest type of nuclear radiation |
| artificial transmutation |
changing by one element into another by unnatural means, involves bombarding a nucleus with high energy particles to cause change |
| gamma ray |
high-frequancy electromagnetic wave released during gamma decay; strongest type of nuclear radiation |
| beta particle |
electron, created in the nucleus of an atom released during beta decay |
| binding energy |
energy associated with the strong nuclear force that holds an atomic nucleus together, related to the stability of a nucleus |
| decay series |
sequence of steps by which a radioactive nucleus decays into a nonradioactive nucleus |
| half-life |
amount of time it takes for half the atoms 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 a nucleus in an atom |
| tracer |
radioactive element whoes pathway can be followed through the steps of a chemical reaction or industrial process |
| transmutation |
process in which one element changed into another as a result of changes in the nucleus |
| critical mass |
The smallest mass of a fissionable material that will sustain a nuclear chain reaction at a constant level. |
| nuclear chain reaction |
series of fission reactions in which an acid combines with a base to form a salt and water |
| nuclear fission |
splitting of an atomic nucleu into two smaller nuclei of approximately equal mass |
| nuclear fussion |
joining of two atomic nuclei of smaller mass to form a single nucleus of larger mass |
| nuclear reactor |
any of several kinds of apparatus that maintain and control a nuclear reaction for the production of energy or artificial elements |
| transuranium element |
element formed sythetically; has more than 92 protons in its nucleus |
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