Science- Atoms, radiation, waves

Radiation

The particles released from the nuclei of radioactive atoms.

Radioactive decay

The process of radioactive atoms releasing particles from their nuclei and changing into another type of atom.

Atom

The basic building blocks of matter made out of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle.

Proton

Positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus.

Neutron

A subatomic particle with a neutral charge in the nucleus.

Nucleus

The small, dense region consisting of protons and neutrons at the center of an atom.

Atomic number

Represents the number of protons in a nucleus.

Mass number

The total number of protons and neutrons together in an atomic nucleus.

Element

A pure substance that consists entirely of one type of atom.

Molecule

When atoms combine with other atoms to form clusters, they are known as molecules.

Compound

Two or more elements chemically combined and made up of different types of atoms.

Ion

An atom or group of atoms that carries a positive or negative electric charge.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Alloy

A metal combined with small amounts of other elements.

Metal properties

Characteristics include solid at room temp, shiny, conductive, malleable, ductile, and dense.

Non-metal properties

Characteristics include various states at room temp, not shiny, poor conductors, brittle, and low melting points.

Radioisotope

Radioactive isotopes of an element.

Nuclear decay

Process where nuclei emit high-energy radiation and particles.

Alpha decay

Nucleus ejects an alpha particle, consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

Beta decay

Nucleus undergoes decay, converting a neutron into a proton and emitting an electron.

Gamma decay

Protons and neutrons rearrange inside the nucleus without emitting a particle.

Half-life

Time taken for an unstable isotope to lose half its mass.

Wave

Transfer of energy without the transfer of matter.

Transverse wave

Oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Longitudinal wave

Oscillations are parallel to the direction of travel.

Frequency

Number of vibrations per second.

Amplitude

Height of a wave from the middle position.

Wavelength

Distance between two corresponding points on a wave.

Speed of a wave

How quickly the wave travels.

Period

Time taken for a wave to complete one cycle.

Electromagnetic spectrum

Range of wavelengths or frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends.