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Nuclear reactions
Nuclear reactions vocabulary practice
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Isotopes | elements that have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons, resulting in different masses. |
| Fission | the splitting of a large atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei, releasing large amounts of energy |
| Chain reaction | particles released by the splitting of an atom go off and strike other atoms, causing them to split as well. |
| Fusion | the nuclei of two atoms fuse to form a larger nucleus, releasing large amounts of energy |
| Radioactive | element that decays (breaks down) into a more stable element and releases radiation in the process |
| Half life | the time it takes for half of the atoms in a radioactive element to decay or break down |