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2010 vocab, #5
chemistry, chapter one, vocabulary list five
Question | Answer |
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Nuclear Chemistry | the branch of chemistry concerned with nuclear reactions. |
Alpha particle | a positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons, emitted in radioactive decay or nuclear fission; the nucleus of a helium atom. |
Beta particle | an electron or positron emitted from an atomic nucleus in a certain type of radioactive decay. |
Gamma radiation | a photon of penetrating electromagnetic radiation (gamma radiation) emitted from an atomic nucleus. |
Natural transmutation | the conversion of one chemical element or isotope into another. This occurs either through nuclear reactions (which an outside particle reacts with a nucleus), or through radioactive decay (where no outside particle is needed) |
Artificial transmutation | An artificially induced nuclear reaction caused by the bombardment of a nucleus with subatomic particiles or small nucei. |
Fission | the act of cleaving or splitting into parts |
Fusion | the act of cleaving or splitting into parts |
Half-life | the time required for one half the atoms of a given amount of a radioactive substance to disintegrate |
Radioactive decay | the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting ionizing particles (ionizing radiation) |