click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Atomic Energy
Chpt. 16 Vocabulary
| word | Definition |
|---|---|
| radioactivity | the process by which an unstable nucleus gives off nuclear radiation |
| mass number | the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom |
| isotope | an atom that has the same number of protons (or the same atomic number) as other atoms or the same element do but that has a different number of neutrons (and thus a different atomic mass) |
| half-life | the time needed for half of a sample of a radioactive substance to undergo radioactive decay |
| nuclear fission | the splitting of the nucleus of a large atom into two or more fragments; releases additional neutrons and energy |
| nuclear chain reaction | a continuous series of nuclear fission reactions |
| nuclear fusion | the combination of the nuclei of small atoms to form a larger nucleus; releases energy |