Nuclear Chemistry Unit 4 Vocabulary and Concepts Review

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts in nuclear chemistry, providing definitions for key terms studied in the unit.

Isotope

Atoms or elements that have the same number of protons in the nucleus but a different number of neutrons.

Atomic number

The number of protons in a nucleus, unique to each element.

Mass number

The total number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus.

Alpha decay

Decay that occurs when a nucleus emits a helium nucleus.

Beta decay

Decay that occurs when an unstable nucleus releases an electron.

Positron

A particle that has the same mass as the electron but a positive charge.

Radioactivity

A process by which the nucleus of an atom spontaneously changes by emitting particles or energy.

Ionization

The process involving the gain or removal of electrons from an atom, creating a positive or negative ion.

Ionizing radiation

Radiation with high enough energy to remove electrons from their atoms.

Radiation dose

The amount of radiation absorbed by the body.

Fission reaction

A nuclear change in which a large nucleus is split into smaller nuclei.

Fusion reaction

A nuclear change where two small nuclei are fused under conditions of high temperature and pressure, creating a large nucleus and vast amounts of energy.

Half-life

The time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay.

Strong force

A short range attractive force that acts between protons and neutrons, but does not affect electrons.

Gamma decay

When an excited nucleus emits high-energy electromagnetic radiation without changing atomic number or mass.

Nuclear chain reaction

A process where the neutrons produced in one fission reaction cause more fission reactions to take place.

Non-ionizing radiation

Electromagnetic rays such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, and visible light that have longer wavelengths, lower frequency, and less energy.