Nuclear Physics

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost electrons and has an electron charge

Isotopes

Atoms of same element that have a different number of neutrons and therefore different mass numbers

Radioactivity

Spontaneous disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus accompanied by the emission of one or more types of radiation

Law of radioactive decay

the number of disintegrations per second is proportional to the number of nuclei present

Half life

Time taken for half of the nuclei in any given sample to decay

Nuclear Fission

Breaking up of a large nucleus into two smaller nuclei of similar size, releasing energy

Nuclear fusion

When two smaller nuclei join together to form a larger nucleus, with a release of a large amount of energy