Module 6 Nuclear energy and mass defect

artificial transmutation

the process in which an isotope is intentionally made to change into an isotope of another element by being bombarded with particles that cause a nuclear process

deuteron

the nucleus of a deuterium atom consisting of a proton and a neutron; (symbol: 1/2H)

mass defect

the difference between the mass of a nucleus and the sum of the masses of the constituent particles of which it is made

binding energy

the energy needed to overcome the forces holding a nucleus together to disassemble it into constituent particles

mass-energy equivalence relationship

states that all objects having mass, or massive objects, have a corresponding intrinsic energy, even when they are stationary; related by ∆E = ∆mc2

binding energy per nucleon

the binding energy divided by the number of nucleons in the nucleus of an atom

electron volt (eV)

a unit of energy defined as the work done on an electron to move it through an electrical potential difference of 1 V; equal to 1.60 × 10-19 J

nuclear fission

a nuclear reaction in which a large unstable nucleus splits, forming two or more smaller, more stable nuclides and releasing neutrons and energy

neutron-induced nuclear fission

nuclear fission reaction induced by the bombardment of a nuclide with neutrons, often producing extra neutrons; also known as artificial transmutation

chain reaction

a series of nuclear fissions, each initiated by a neutron produced in a preceding fission

nuclear fusion

a nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form one or more different, heavier nuclides and subatomic particles

proton-proton chain reaction

a series of nuclear fusion reactions in which four hydrogen nuclei (protons) are combined to form one helium nucleus