chem test atomic/nuclear

Proton

+1 charged particle found in the nucleus.

Neutron

Neutral particle found in the nucleus.

Electron

−1 charged particle found outside the nucleus.

Atomic Number

Number of protons in an atom.

Mass Number

Total number of protons and neutrons.

Neutrons

Mass number − atomic number.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Nucleons

Protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Nucleus

Dense center of an atom containing protons and neutrons.

Neutral Atom

An atom with equal numbers of protons and electrons.

Strong Nuclear Force

Attractive force that holds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus.

Electrical Force

Repulsive force between positively charged protons.

Strong Nuclear Force Range

Very short range.

Electrical Force Range

Long range.

Nuclear Stability

The balance between the strong nuclear force and electrical repulsion within the nucleus.

Radioactive Isotope

An isotope with an unstable nucleus that spontaneously emits radiation.

Natural Transmutation

Spontaneous radioactive decay that changes one nucleus into another.

Artificial Transmutation

Bombarding a nucleus with a particle to force it to change.

Alpha Particle

A helium nucleus containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

Alpha Decay

Radioactive decay that releases an alpha particle.

Alpha Decay Mass Change

Mass number decreases by 4.

Alpha Decay Atomic Number Change

Atomic number decreases by 2.

Nuclear Equation

An equation in which both mass numbers and atomic numbers must balance.

Nuclear Fission

Splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei.

Fission Products

The smaller nuclei produced when a heavy nucleus splits.

Fission Energy

Energy released when a small amount of mass is converted into energy.

Chain Reaction

A reaction where neutrons released from one fission cause additional fissions.

Critical Mass

Minimum mass of fissionable material required to sustain a chain reaction.

Nuclear Reactor

Device that controls nuclear fission reactions to produce energy.

E = mc²

Equation showing that mass can be converted into energy.

Nuclear Fusion

Combination of two small nuclei into one larger nucleus, releasing energy.

Fusion Energy

Energy released when a small amount of mass is converted into energy.

Fusion Location

Occurs naturally in stars.

Fission vs. Fusion

Fission splits a large nucleus; fusion combines smaller nuclei.

Thomson

Discovered the electron.

Dalton

Developed the Modern Atomic Theory.

Chadwick

Discovered the neutron.

Rutherford

Discovered the nucleus of an atom.

Democritus

First used the term 'atom.'

Millikan

Determined the charge on an electron.