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Chapter 8 Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Solute | Substance whose particles are dissolved in a solution. |
| Solvent | Substance in which the solute dissolves. |
| Dispersion | Breaking into small pieces that spread throughout the water. |
| Ionization | Process in which neutral molecules gain or lose electrons. |
| Dissociation | Process in which an ionic compound separates into ions as it dissolves. |
| Acid | Compound that produces hydronium ions when dissolved in water. |
| Indicator | Any substance that changes color in the presence of en acid or base. |
| Base | Compound that produces hydroxide ions when dissolved in water. |
| Neutralization | Reaction between an acid and a base. |
| Salt | The negative ions in an acid combine with the positive ions in a base to produce an ionic compound. |
| pH | Measure of its hydronium ion concentration. |
| Buffer | Solution that is resistant to large changes in pH. |
| Electrolyte | Substance that ionizes or dissociates into ions when it dissolves in water. |
| Radioactivity | Process in which an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles and energy. |
| Radiostope | Any atom containing an unstable nucleus. |
| Nuclear Radiation | Charged particles and energy that are emitted from the nuclei of radioisotopes. |
| Alpha Particle | Positively charged particle made up of two protons and two neutrons. |
| Beta Particle | Electron emitted by an unstable nucleus. |
| Gamma Ray | Penetrating ray of energy emitted by an unstable nucleus. |
| Background Radiation | Nuclear radiation that occurs naturally in the environment. |
| Strong Nuclear Force | Attractive force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus. |
| Fission | Splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller parts. |
| Chain Reaction | Neutrons released during the splitting of an initial nucleus trigger a series of nuclear fission. |
| Critical Mass | Smallest possible mass of a fissionable material that can sustain a chain reaction. |
| Fusion | Process in which the nuclei of two atoms combine to form a larger nucleus. |
| Plasma | State of matter in which atoms have been stripped of their electrons. |