TOPIC 4: Chapter 21 — Nuclear Chemistry
nuclear reaction
a reaction that affects the nucleus of an atom
radioactive decay
the disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus into one or more different nuclides, accompanied by the emission of radiation, the nuclear capture or ejection of electrons, or fission
alpha particle
a positively charged atom that is released in the disintegration of radioactive elements and that consists of two protons and two neutrons
beta particle
a charged electron emitted during certain types of radioactive decay, such as beta decay
gamma ray
the high-energy photon emitted by a nucleus during fission and radioactive decay
half-life
the time required for half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to break down by radioactive decay to form a daughter isotope
nuclear fission
the splitting of the nucleus of a large atom into two or more fragments; releases additional neutrons and energy
nuclear fusion
the combination of the nuclei of small atoms to form a larger nucleus; releases energy