Unit 17 Nuclear Chemistry Vocabulary
1. Radioactivity
The process in which some substances spontaneously emitt radiation
2. radiation
The rays and particles emitted by the radioactive material
3. nuclear reaction
A reaction that involves a change in the atoms nucleus
4. radioactive decay
A spontaneous process in which unstable nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation
5. alpha radiation
radiation that was deflected toward the negatively charged plate; is equal to 4/2He
6. alpha particle
A particle with two protons and two neutrons with a positive to charge can be represented by alpha a and is emitted during radioactive decay
7. nuclear equation
A type of equation that shows the atomic number and mass number of the particles involved
8. beta radiation
radiation deflected toward the positively charged plate; consists of fast moving beta particles
9. beta particle
an electron with a negative one charge which is emitted during radioactive decay
10. gamma ray
high energy radiation that possesses no mass and is denoted by this symbol y
11. radioisotope
isotopes of atoms with unstable nuclei
12. x-ray
A form of high energy electromagnetic radiation; not produced by radioactive sources and energy is lower then to gamma rays; email said when inner electrons are knocked out and electrons from higher energy levels drop down to fill the vacancy
13. penetrating power
The ability of radiation to pass through matter
14. nucleon
The positively charged protons and neutral neutrons contained in an atoms nucleus; protons
15. strong nuclear force
acts on subatomic particles that are extremely close together and overcomes the electrostatic repulsion among protons
16. positron emission
A radioactive decay process that involves the emission of a positron from a nucleus
17. positron
A particle with the same mass as in electron but opposite charge; represented by E +
18. electron capture
occurs when the nucleus of an atom dries and surrounding electrons, usually from the lowest energy level
19. Half life
The time required for one half of a radio-isotope nuclei to decay into its products
20. mass defect
The difference in mass between a nucleus and its component nucleons
21. nuclear fission
splitting of a nucleus into fragments; usually accompanied by a very large release of energy
22. critical mass
A sample that is massive enough to substantiate a chain reaction
23. nuclear fusion
combining of atomic nuclei; responsible for the production of the heaviest elements, are capable of releasing very large amounts of energy
24. Radiotracer
A radio isotope that emits non-ionizing radiation and is used to signal the presence of an element or specific substance
1. Chemical reactions and nuclear reactions
chemical: The process by which the Adams of one or more substances are rearranged to form different substances
nuclear: A reaction that involves a change in the atoms nucleus
2. fission and fusion
fission: splitting of an object
fusion: the combing of objects
3. positron emission and electron capture
positron emission: A radioactive decay process that involves the emission of a positron from a nucleus
electron capture: occurs when the nucleus of an atom dries and surrounding electrons, usually from the lowest energy level
4. beta particle and positron
beta particle: an electron with a negative one charge which is emitted during radioactive decay
positron: A particle with the same mass as in electron but opposite charge; represented by E +