Ionizing Radiation, Fission, and Fusion

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and concepts related to Ionizing Radiation, Fission, and Fusion.

Ionizing radiation

A general name for high-energy radiation of all kinds, which often turns atoms into ions or radicals via nuclear reactions.

Nuclear Fission

The fragmentation of heavy nuclei, such as uranium-235, which releases energy and additional neutrons when bombarded by neutrons.

Chain Reaction

A reaction that once started is self-sustaining, as seen in the fission of uranium-235 that releases more neutrons to initiate further fissions.

Critical Mass

The minimum amount of radioactive material needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction; below this mass, many neutrons escape, halting the reaction.

Nuclear Fusion

The joining together of light nuclei, such as hydrogen isotopes, which releases enormous amounts of energy.

Cosmic rays

A mixture of high-energy particles that come from space, primarily consisting of protons, as well as some alpha and beta particles.

Artificial transmutation

The change of one atom into another brought about by nuclear bombardment reactions.

X rays

Have no mass and consist of high-energy electromagnetic radiation, with energy somewhat less than that of gamma rays.