| term |
defintion |
| Alpha Particle |
weakest type of neclear radiation |
| artificial transmutation |
changing of 1 element into anohter by unnatural means; involves bombarding a nucleus w/ a high energy particles to cause change. |
| gamma ray |
high frequency electromagnet wave released during gamma decay. |
| beta particle |
electron created in the nucleus of an atomo, released during beta decay. |
| binding energy |
energy associated with the strong nuclear force that holds atomic nucleus together, related to stability of a nucleus. |
| decay series |
sequence of steps by which a radioactive nucleus decays into a nonradioactive nucleus. |
| half life |
amount of time it takes for half the atom in a given sample of an element to decay. |
| radioactive decay |
process by which a nucleus spontaneously emits particles or rays to become lighter and more stable. |
| tracer |
radioactive element who's pathway can be followed through the steps of a chemical reaction or industrial process. |
| transmutation |
process in which one element is chagned into another as a result of changes in a nucleus. |
| nuclear chain reaction |
series of fission reactions that occur because the products released during one fission reaction cause fission reactions in other atoms. |
| nuclear fission |
splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei of larger mass. |
| transmuranium element |
element formed synthetically; has more than 92 protons in its nucleus. |
