Isotopes and Radioisotopes
Studied by 0 people
Learn
Practice Test
Spaced Repetition
Match
Flashcards1/8
There's no tags or description
Looks like no tags are added yet.
Name | Mastery | Learn | Test | Matching | Spaced |
|---|
No study sessions yet.
9 Terms
isotopes
atoms with the same number of protons (of the same element) but a different number of neutrons
radioisotope
an isotope of an element that is radioactive, meaning it decays by emitting radiation
radioactive decay
the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, to try and reach a stable state
alpha decay
a type of radioactive decay in which an atom releases an alpha particle
alpha particle
two protons and two neutrons (a helium nucleus) released through alpha decay
beta decay
a type of radioactive decay in which an atom releases a beta particle
beta particle
an electron released through beta decay
gamma decay
a type of electromagnetic radiation in which an atom releases a gamma ray photon instead of a particle, usually occurring after alpha or beta decay
half life
the time it takes for half of the radioisotopes in a radioactive substance to decay