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Chapt 16 Vocabulary
Physical Science
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Radioactivity | the process by which an unstable nucleus gives off nuclear radiation |
| Mass number | the sum of the number 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 of 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 radioactive substance to undergo radioactive decay |
| Nuclear fission | the splitting of the nuclear of a large atom into two or more fragments; releases additional neutrons and energy. |
| Nuclear chain reaction | a continuous series of nuclear fissino reactions |
| Nuclear fusion | the combination of the nuclei of small atoms to form a larger nucleus; releases energy |