Nuclear Reactions and Element Synthesis

Nuclear Fusion

Combining two nuclei into a heavier nucleus.

Nuclear Fission

Splitting heavy nuclei into lighter ones.

Nuclear Decay

Spontaneous emission of energy from a nucleus.

Alpha Decay

Release of a helium ion, reducing atomic number by 2.

Beta Decay

Neutron transforms into a proton and electron.

Positron Emission

Proton converts to a neutron, emitting a positron.

Electron Capture

Electron combines with a proton to form a neutron.

Gamma Emission

Release of energy after nuclear decay.

Atomic Number

Number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

Atomic Mass

Total number of protons and neutrons in nucleus.

Nuclear Equation

Representation of nuclear reactions using symbols.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element with different masses.