Studied by 56 people
radioactive
substances that release ionizing radiation to the environment
ionization
the process of stripping away an electron from a molecule
transmutation
the conversion of one element to another, involving a change in the atomās nucleus
radioactive decay
the process by which an unstable nucleus decays into a more stable nucleus, releasing energy in the process
half-life
the time it takes for half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay
spontaneous decay
a form of radioactive decay in which a nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei
emanation
emission; something that is produced
radioactive decay has four possible emanations (alpha, beta, positron, gamma)
alpha particle
a product of radioactive decay; the weakest form of ionizing radiation, which can be stopped by paper, consisting of a helium nucleus
beta particle
a product of radioactive decay; a form of ionizing radiation that can be stopped by aluminum, consisting of an electron or a positron
positron
a product of radioactive decay; an electron with a positive charge; an example of antimatter
gamma radiation
a product of radioactive decay; the strongest form of ionizing radiation, which can be stopped by lead, consisting of an electromagnetic ray
fission
the splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller, lighter nuclei
critical mass
the mass that must be maintained to sustain a chain nuclear fission reaction; recognizable because of their having two reactants
fusion
the combining of two light nuclei into one heavier nucleus
binding energy
the energy released when nucleons form a nucleus
artificial transmutation
also called artificial radioactivity; the process by which new isotopes or elements are made by bombarding a target nucleus with another particle of appropriate energy and mass
C-14
an isotope of carbon that releases beta radiation and is used as a tracer molecule and for radioactive dating, with a half-life of 5715 years
I-131
an isotope of iodine that releases beta radiation and is used to diagnose thyroid disorders, with a half-life of 8.021 days
Co-60
an isotope of cobalt that releases gamma rays and is used in radiation therapy to kill cancer cells, with a half-life of 5.271 years
82
the atomic number of the last element (lead; Pb) with stable isotopes; all isotopes of the elements after element 82 are radioactive
U-238 to Pb-206
the decay series of the radioactive isotope uranium-238, ending at the stable isotope lead-206
breeder reactors
a nuclear reactor that generates more fissile material than it consumes, due to the processing of spent fuel into more useable fuel
fuel in fuel rods
usually U-235 or Pu-239
control rods
contains boronated water in case control rods break - boron and cadmium absorb neutrons
moderator
slows the extra neutrons in a nuclear reactor, typically water or liquid sodium
coolant
water or deuterium oxide (heavy water)
shielding
lead, concrete (reinforced), water
chain reaction
the process by which the product of one reaction leads to another in a domino effect; a self-sustaining reaction
Note 
Flashcard (22)