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Unit 10 Vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Alpha particle | A helium nucleus; contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons; has a mass of 4 amu and a charge of +2. |
| Artificial transmutation | Occur in a stable atoms; need some kind of high energy particles to begin reaction & bombard nucleus. |
| Fission | SPLITTING of the nucleus of an atom; LARGER PARTICLE(S) SPLIT into smaller particles |
| Fusion | LIGHTER NUCLEI are COMBINED to produce heavier nucleus or nuclei |
| Gamma radiation | Electromagnetic radiation; Similar to xrays; 0 amu; Very dangerous (highly penetrating) |
| Half-life | The amount of time required for a quantity to fall to half its value as measured at the beginning of the time period |
| Radioactive tracer | A chemical compound in which one or more atoms have been replaced by a radioisotope. |
| Radioisotope | An UNSTABLE or RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPE of any element |
| Transmutation | The changing of a nucleus of one element into the nucleus of another element. |
| Beta particle | An electron; has a mass of 0 and a charge of -1. |