Biochemistry Chapter 9: Nuclear Chemistry

A high-energy particle that is emitted from a radioactive nucleus and contains two protons and two neutrons.

An SI unit used to measure radioactivity, abbreviated as Bq; 1 Bq = 1 disintegration/s.

A high-energy electron emitted from a radioactive nucleus.

The process by which each neutron produced during fission can go on to bombard three other nuclei to produce more nuclei and more neutrons.

The amount of a radioactive element required to sustain a chain reaction.

A unit used to measure radioactivity and equal to 3.7 × 1010 disintegrations/s. A curie corresponds to the decay rate of one gram of the element radium.

High-energy radiation released from a radioactive nucleus.

A small portable device used for measuring radioactivity.

A unit that measures absorbed radiation; abbreviated as Gy.

The time it takes for one-half of a sample to decay.

The lethal dose of radiation (or a poison) that kills 50% of a population.

The splitting apart of a nucleus into lighter nuclei and neutrons.

A reaction that involves the subatomic particles of the nucleus.

A radioactive particle that has a negligible mass and a +1 charge.

The radiation absorbed dose; the amount of radiation absorbed by one gram of a substance.

The process by which an unstable radioactive nucleus emits radiation, forming a nucleus of new composition.

An isotope that is unstable and spontaneously emits energy to form a more stable nucleus.

The energy emitted by a radioactive isotope.

A method to date artifacts that is based on the ratio of the radioactive carbon-14 isotope to the stable carbon-12 isotope.

The radiation equivalent for man; the amount of radiation absorbed by a substance that also factors in its energy and potential to damage tissue.

A unit that measures absorbed radiation; abbreviated as Sv.

A unit that measures absorbed radiation; abbreviated as Sv.

The joining together of two nuclei to form a larger nucleus.