nuclear chem

electromagnetic radiation

no mass, pure energy

nuclear radiation

the emission of energy and/or particles from the nucleus of an atom

ionizing radiation

has the ability to knock electrons off an atom (creating ions), dangerous

alpha particles

these have two protons and two neutrons. They are identical to helium nuclei.

beta particles

 these can be either negative or positive, if negative, they are simply electrons, if positive, they are called positrons.

gamma rays

high frequency electromagnetic radiation.

strong nuclear force

force of attraction between protons and neutrons.

band of stability

 the region of stable nuclei 

radioactive

an unstable nucleus is considered this because it emits nuclear radiation

radioscopes

radioactive isotopes

nuclear decay

when unstable nuclei break apart

half life

 the amount of time required for one-half of the nuclei in a radioisotope sample to decay to products. Abbreviated t1/2

radiometric dating

uses radioisotopes with known half lives to determine the age of objects.

fission

splitting of an unstable nucleus. Release neutrons, energy, and smaller nuclei

fusion

 joining of atomic nuclei to create a larger nucleus. Releases much more energy than fission

PET scan

Positron emission tomography” - measures positron emission. Can be used to detect cancer, also used in brain imaging.

radioactive tracer

 used to diagnose industrial reactors, for instance by measuring the flow rate of liquids, gasses and solids