Nuclear Chemistry Study Guide

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the nuclear chemistry lecture notes.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom.

Mass Number

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Neutron

A subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, having no charge.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Nuclear Fission

The process of splitting an atom's nucleus to release energy.

Nuclear Fusion

The process of combining two atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus.

Nucleus

The dense central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons.

Average Atomic Mass

The weighted average of the masses of an element's isotopes.

Strong Nuclear Force

The force that holds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus.

Stable Isotope

An isotope that does not undergo radioactive decay.

Unstable Isotope

An isotope that is radioactive and will decay over time.

Nuclear Chain Reaction

A series of reactions where products from one fission event cause further fission events.

Chemical Reaction

A process that involves the rearrangement of atoms but does not involve changes in the nucleus.

E=mc²

Einstein's equation that shows the equivalence of mass and energy.