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9MA3NuclearReactions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| radiation | energy or particles emitted by an unstable nucleus as it decays into a new and stable element |
| radioactivity | when a nucleus is unstable due to the imbalance of neutrons and protons and tries to become stable by decay |
| nuclear decay | process of becoming a stable nucleus and emitting radiation (as energy or particles) *very similar to the idea of radiation |
| alpha particle/decay | nuclear decay when a helium nucleus is emitted; atomic # decreases by 2, mass # decreases by 4 |
| beta particle/decay | nuclear decay when an electron is emitted (through the division of a neutron in the nucleus); increases atomic # by one and mass # stays the same |
| gamma ray/decay | nuclear decay when just a LOT of energy is emitted; no change in atomic # or mass #- element stays the same |
| half-life | amount of time it takes half of a radioactive substance to decay and change into something else |
| fission | nuclear reaction of dividing a large nucleus; nuclear power plants use fission to generate electricity |
| fusion | nuclear reaction of joining 2 small nuclei (2 hyrogens into a helium nucleus); occurs on the SUN |
| chain reaction | during fission when neutrons are emitted from a split nucleus and smashes into another nucleus (and so on...) to continue fission |
| critical mass | during a chain reaction, when enough atoms are present to keep the process going. |
Created by:
jparsons
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