Nuclear Chemistry

Alpha Decay (⍺)

The process where a parent isotope splits into a daughter isotope and helium, often represented as 4 2He.

Beta Decay (β)

The process in which a parent isotope gains a proton, resulting in a daughter isotope with the same mass but a different atomic number, represented as 0 -1e.

Gamma Decay (γ)

The emission of photons as a parent isotope moves to a lower energy state, making it the most penetrating form of radiation.

Positron Emission (Beta Positive Decay) (B+)

A process where a positron is emitted from a parent isotope creating a daughter isotope, analogous to an electron but with a positive charge.

Electron Capture (EC)

A process where a parent isotope captures an inner shell electron, resulting in a decrease in atomic number.

Half-Life

The time required for half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay into its daughter isotopes.

Nuclear Fusion

The process of combining small nuclei to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy, common in stars.

Nuclear Fission

The splitting of a large nucleus into smaller nuclei that releases energy, used in power plants.

Exponential Decay Curve

A graph that represents the characteristic decay of radioactive isotopes with a constant half-life.

Decay Series

A graph representing the process of alpha and beta decay, showing changes in protons and neutrons.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different mass numbers.