| Term | Definition |
|---|
| nuclear radiation | particles and energy released from a radioactive nucleus |
| radioactive | description for a nucleus that gives off nuclear radiation in the form of mass and energy in order to become stable |
| radioactivity | release of energy and matter that results from changes in the nucleus of an atom |
| alpha particle | weakest type of nuclear radiation; consists of a helium nucleus released during alpha decay |
| beta particle | electron, created in the nucleus of an atom, released during beta decay |
| gamma ray | high-frequency electromagnetic wave released during gamme decay, strongest type of nuclear radiation |
| nuclear strong force | force that overcomes the electric force of repulsion among protons in an atomic nucleus and binds the nucleus together |
| binding energy | energy associated with the strong nuclear force that holds an atomic nucleus together; related to the stability of a nucleus |
| isotope | atom that has the same number of protons (atomic number) as another atom but a different number of neutrons |
| radioactive decay | process in which a nucleus spontaneously emits particles or rays to become lighter and more stable |
| transmutation | process in which one element is changed into another as a result of changes in the nucleus |
| half-life | amount of time it takes for half the atoms in a given sample of an element to decay |
| decay series | sequence of steps by which a radioactive nucleus decays into a nonradioactive nucleus |
| artificial transmutation | changing of one element into another by unnatural means; involves bombarding a nucleus with high-energy particles to cause change |
| transuranium element | element formed synthetically; has more than 92 protons in its nucleus |
| nuclear fission | splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei of approximately equal mass |
| nuclear chain reaction | series of fission reactions that occur because the products released during one fission reaction cause fission reactions in other atoms |
| nuclear fusionto two smaller nuclei of appro | joining of 2 atomic nuclei of smaller mass to form a single nucleus of larger mass |
| electroscope | device consisting of a metal rod with two thin metal leaves at one end that can be used to detect radioactivity |
| Geiger counter | device that can be used to detect radioactivity because it produces an electric current in the presence of a radioactive substance |
| cloud chamber | device to study radioactivity, which uses cooled gas that will condense around radioactive particles |
| bubble chamber | device that uses a superheated liquid to create bubbles when radioactive particles pass through it |
| radioscope | artificially produced radioactive isotope; often used in medicine or industry |
| tracer | radioactive element whose pathway can be followed through the steps of a chemical reaction or industrial process |
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