Chapter 5 Nuclear Chemistry

Alpha Particle

Nuclear particle that is equal to helium nucleus, ⁴₂He

Becquerel (Bq)

Unit of activity = 1 disintegration per second

Beta Particle

electron particle = ⁰₋₁e, forms in the nucleus with a neutron charge with a proton and electron.

Chain Reaction

fission reaction caused by a neutron hitting a heavy nucleus. Uranium- 235.

Curie (Ci)

radioactive unity activity = 3.7 x 10¹⁰ disintegrations/s

Decay Curve

radioactive element decay diagram.

Equivalant Dose

biological damage absorbed for a particular type of radiation.

Fission

large nuclei are split into smaller pieces, releasing large amounts of energy.

Fusion

large amounts of energy are released as a result of small nuclei to form larger nuclei.

Gamma Ray

high-energy radiation emitted by unstable nucleus.

Gray (Gy)

unit absorbed = 100 rad.

Half-Life

length of time for one-half radioactive sample to decay.

Positron

radiation particle with no mass and a ⁺ charge, produced when a proton is transformed into a neutron and a positron.

Rad (Radiation Absorbed Dose)

measurement of amount of radiation absorbed by a body.

Radiation

energy/particles released by radioactive atoms.

Radioactive Decay

a unstable nucleus down with the release of high-energy radiation.

Radioisotope

radioactive atom of an element

Rem (Radiation Equivalant in Humans)

measure of biological damaged caused by several radiation types. Rad x radiation biological factor.

Sievert (Sv)

unit of biological damage = 100 rem.