Nuclear Chemistry Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, decay processes, stability rules, equations, and differences between nuclear and chemical reactions in nuclear chemistry.

Nuclear Chemistry

The subfield of chemistry dealing with radioactivity, nuclear processes, and nuclear properties.

Nuclide

A particular type of nucleus, characterized by a specific atomic number and nucleon number.

Nucleon Number

Also known as mass number, it is the total number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) in the nucleus of a nuclide.

Nuclide Symbolism

The standard notation where $A$ represents mass number, $Z$ represents atomic number, and $X$ represents element symbol.

Electrostatic Force

The force that causes opposite electrical charges to attract each other.

Strong Force

The fundamental force between nucleons (protons and neutrons) inside the nucleus.

Magic Numbers

Unusually stable numbers of protons or neutrons: $2$, $8$, $20$, $28$, $50$, $82$, and $126$.

Band of Nuclear Stability

A region formed on a neutron/proton grid containing stable isotopes from hydrogen ($H$) to uranium ($U$).

Alpha Emission

Radioactive emission where two protons and two neutrons leave the nucleus together as an alpha particle ($^4_2\text{He}$).

Beta Emission

Radioactive emission in which a neutron becomes a proton in the nucleus and ejects an electron ($^0_{-1}e$).

Positron Emission

Radioactive emission where a proton converts into a neutron inside the nucleus while ejecting a positron ($^0_{+1}e$).

Electron Capture

A nuclear decay mechanism where an inner electron combines with a proton to form a neutron.

Gamma Emission

The release of high-energy electromagnetic radiation ($\gamma\text{-photon}$) from an excited nucleus transitioning to a lower energy state.

Nuclear Reaction

A reaction involving changes inside the nucleus where elements transmute, isotopes react differently, and energy changes equal approximately $10^8\,kJ$.

Chemical Reaction

A reaction involving electron interaction outside the nucleus without element transmutation, yielding energy changes between $10\,kJ$ and $10^3\,kJ$.

Radioactive Decay Series

A sequential series of nuclear reactions through which a radioactive nuclide decays into a stable isotope.

Radiation Penetrating Distances

The penetration ability of radiation types: paper blocks alpha, plastic blocks beta, lead blocks gamma/X-rays, and concrete blocks neutrons.

Alpha Emission Hazard

Radiation that is easily shielded externally but considered hazardous if alpha-emitting material is ingested or inhaled.

Beta Emission Hazard

Radiation shielded by thin layers of material and considered hazardous if ingested or inhaled.

Gamma Emission Hazard

High-penetration radiation requiring dense material for shielding and considered hazardous when external to the body.