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Reactions of Matter
Nuclear Reactions and Chemical Reactions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| strong force | attractive force that acts between protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus |
| radioactivity | process that occurs when a nucleus decays and emits alpha, beta or gamma radiation |
| alpha particle | particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons that is emitted from a decaying atomic nucleus |
| transmutation | process of changing one element to another through radioactive decay. |
| beta particle | electron that is emitted from a decaying atomic nucleus. |
| gamma ray | electromagnetic wave with no mass and no charge that travels at the speed of light and is usually emitted with alpha or beta particles from a decaying atomic nucleus |
| half-life | amount of time it takes for half the nuclei in a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay |
| nuclear fission | process of splitting an atomic nucleus into two or more nuclei with smaller masses |
| chain reaction | ongoing series of fission reactions |
| critical mass | amount of fissionable material required so that each fission reaction produces approximately one more fission reaction |
| nuclear fusion | reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei form a nucleus with a larger mass |
| tracer | radioactive isotope that can be detected by the radiation it emits after it is absorbed by a living organism |