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Ch 16 Sun Part 3
Vocabulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Mass-Energy Equivalence | mass & energy are not independent, but can be converted into one another |
E=mc^2 | Einstein's formula that energy is equal to mass times the speed of light squared |
Law of Conservation of Mass & Energy | mass and energy must remain constant in any physical process |
Proton-Proton Chain | fusion reactions, from hydrogen to helium, which powers main-sequence stars |
Strong Nuclear Force | responsible for binding atomic nuclei together; the strongest fundamental force in the universe |
Deuteron | hydrogen isotope where a neutron is bound to the proton in the nucleus; "heavy" hydrogen |
Positron | atomic particle with properties identical to an electron except for its positive charge |
Neutrino | virtually massless and chargeless particle, produced in the fusion reactions of stars |
Helium-3 | isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron |
Gamma Rays | radiation far beyond the visible spectrum, produced in the fusion reactions of stars |
Isotope | element that contains the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons |
Helium | element with 2 protons and 2 neutrons (helium 4), produced in the fusion reactions of stars |
Electromagnetic Force | electric or magnetic force exerted between any two charged particles |
Weak Nuclear Force | responsible for certain nuclear reactions & radioactive decay; still stronger than gravity |
Solar Neutrino Problem | the observed number of neutrinos is only about half the predicted number |
Neutrino Oscillations | neutrinos likely can transform into other particles, and thus go undetected |
Deuterium | form of hydrogen with an extra neutron in its nucleus (deuteron atom) |