atomic structures +forces

atom

smallest part of an element that still retains the properties of that element

ion

changed atom (by going or losing -e)

amu

atomic mass unit

isotope

same element, diff mass/number

electric force

like change repel, opposite attract

strong nuclear force

short-range, very strong that holds nucleus together

protons

positively charged subatomic particles found in the nucleus of every atom

neutrons

subatomic particles that have no electrical charge and are found in the nucleus of an atom, along with protons

electrons

negatively charged, elementary particles that are a fundamental component of atoms, orbiting the nucleus along with protons and neutrons

alpha decay

a type of radioactive decay where an unstable atomic nucleus releases an alpha particle to become more stable

alpha particle

a positively charged particle composed of two protons and two neutrons

beta decay

a type of radioactive decay where an unstable atomic nucleus releases a beta particle to become more stable

beta particle

a high-speed electron or positron emitted from an unstable atomic nucleus during radioactive decay

nuclear fission

the process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus, such as uranium or plutonium, into two or more smaller nuclei

fission

splitting of a large atom into two or more smaller atoms

fissile isotope

a type of atomic nucleus that can undergo nuclear fission after absorbing a low-energy neutron

nuclear radiation

charged particles & energy emitted from the nucleus of radioisotopes 

fusion

combining of two or more nuclei to form a larger nucleus

absolute dating

using the parent to daughter ratio in order to determine how old a sample is

relative dating

comparing rock layers compared to each other