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PS-Ch16
Physical Science Chapter 16 - Atomic Energy (Vocab)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| the process by which an unstable nucleus gives off nuclear radiation | radioactivity |
| Who discovered radioactivity? | Henri Becquerel |
| another name for radioactivity | radioactive decay |
| the three types of radioactive decay | alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay |
| the release of alpha particle from a nucleus | alpha decay |
| a particle made up of two protons and two neutrons, the nucleus of a helium atom | alpha particle |
| the release of beta particle from a nucleus | beta decay |
| a particle made up of an electron or positron | beta particle |
| an atom that has the same number of protons as other atoms of the same element do but that has a different number of neutrons | isotope |
| the release of gamma rays from a nucleus: ray is pure energy (light) | gamma decay |
| the form of light that has very high energy | gamma rays |
| the time needed for half of a radioactive substance to decay | half-life |
| radioactive elements whose paths can be followed through a process or reaction | tracers |