Nuclear Reactions (NR)

proton

Positively charged subatomic particle

neutron

Neutral subatomic particle

electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle

nucleus

The center of the atom that contains protons and neutrons

radiation

the particles emitted from an unstable nucleus

radioactivity

the emission of particles from an unstable nucleus

alpha decay

process in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle - two protons and two neutrons

beta decay

process in which an unstable nucleus emits an electron

gamma decay

process in which an unstable nucleus emits a photon

fision

the process of one heavier nucleus breaking apart into two lighter nuclei while releasing energy

fusion

the process of two lighter nuclei coming together to form one heavier nucleus while releasing energy.