 | Term | Definition |
| |
radioisotope |
nuclei of unstable isotopes |
| |
radiation |
the penetrating rays and particles emitted by a radioactive source |
| |
radioactive decay |
the process by which an unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation |
| |
alpha radiation |
helium nuclei that have been emitted from a radioactive source. [emitted particles called alpha particles have 2 nuetrons and 2 protons] |
| |
beta radiation |
consists of fast moving electrons formed by the decomposition of a neutron in an atom. |
| |
gamma radiation |
high energy electromagnetic radiation given off by a radiostope. |
| |
gamma rays |
no mass or charge |
| |
band of stability |
a region in which the stable nuclei on a nuetron-vs.-proton plot are located |
| |
increases number of protons and decreases number of nuetrons |
beta decay/emission |
| |
positron |
a particle with the mass of an electron but a positive charge. |
| |
radioactive |
all nuclei with atomic number greater than 83 are ___ |
| |
half life |
the time required for one-half of the nuclei of a radiostope sample to decay to products |
| |
transmutation |
the conversion of an atom of one element to an atom of another element [can occur when high energy particles bombard the nucleus of an atom] |
| |
transuranium elements |
the elements in the periodic table with atomic numbers above 92, which all undergo transmutation |
| |
fission |
when the nuclei of certain isotopes are bombarded with nuetrons, the splitting of a nucleus into smaller fragments |
| |
nuetron moderation |
a process that reduces the speed of neutrons so they can be captured by the reactor fuel in order to continue the chain reaction |
| |
nuetron absorption |
a process that decreases the number of slow moving nuetrons. |
| |
fusion |
the energy released by the sun results from a thermonuclear reaction, or nuclear fusion. [occurs when nuclei combine to produce a nucleus of greater mass] |
| |
ionizing radiation |
radiation with enough energy to knock electrons off some atoms of the bombarded substance to produce ions. |
| |
geiger counter |
a gas filled metal tube used to detect radiation |
| |
scintillation counter |
a device that uses a specially coated phosphor surface to detect radiation |
| |
film badge |
important radiation detectors for persons who work near radiation sources |
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