Chemistry 110 - Nuclear Chemistry

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from Nuclear Chemistry.

Radioactivity

The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation.

Radioisotope

An isotope that has an unstable nucleus and emits radiation.

Alpha Particle

Helium nucleus containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons; emitted during alpha decay.

Beta Particle

High-energy electron emitted from a nucleus during beta decay.

Gamma Rays

High-energy radiation emitted during nuclear reactions.

Half-Life

The time required for half of a sample of a radioactive substance to decay.

Nuclear Fission

A process in which a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.

Nuclear Fusion

A process where small nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy.

Curie (Ci)

A unit of radioactivity, defined as 3.7 × 10^10 disintegrations per second.

Becquerel (Bq)

The SI unit of radioactivity, equal to one disintegration per second.

Dosimeter

A device used to measure an individual's exposure to radiation.

Decay

The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

Critical Mass

The minimum mass of fissile material needed to maintain a nuclear chain reaction.

Radiation Absorbed Dose (rad)

A measure of the amount of radiation energy absorbed by a substance.

Radiation Equivalent in Humans (rem)

A unit that accounts for the biological effect of different types of radiation.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

A medical imaging technique that uses positron-emitting radioisotopes.

Computed Tomography (CT)

An imaging method that creates detailed images from X-ray data.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to produce images of the body.