Radioactive Materials (OCR)

"Atom"

"The basic unit of matter consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons."

"Proton"

"A subatomic particle with a positive charge and mass of 1 atomic mass unit (amu)."

"Neutron"

"A subatomic particle with no charge and mass of 1 atomic mass unit (amu)."

"Electron"

"A subatomic particle with a negative charge and negligible mass (approximately 1/2000 amu)."

"Atomic Number"

"The number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which defines the element."

"Mass Number"

"The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus."

"Isotope"

"Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons and hence different mass numbers."

"Dalton's Theory"

"The theory that atoms are indivisible, and all atoms of a given element are identical."

"Plum Pudding Model"

"J.J. Thomson's model proposing that an atom is a sphere of positive charge with electrons embedded in it."

"Rutherford's Experiment"

"An experiment where alpha particles were directed at a thin gold foil, leading to the discovery of the atomic nucleus."

"Nucleus"

"The small, dense center of an atom containing protons and neutrons."

"Bohr Model"

"Niels Bohr's model that proposed electrons orbit the nucleus at fixed energy levels."

"Alpha Particle"

"A type of radiation consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, leading to a decrease in mass number by 4 and atomic number by 2."

"Beta Particle"

"A type of radiation where a neutron decays into a proton and an electron; the electron (beta particle) is emitted."

"Gamma Ray"

"High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus as it loses excess energy after alpha or beta decay."

"Radioactive Decay"

"The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation."

"Half-Life"

"The time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay."

"Nuclear Equation"

"A symbolic representation of nuclear reactions showing changes in atomic and mass numbers."

"Count-Rate"

"The number of radioactive decays detected per unit time, typically measured in counts per second."

"Stable Nucleus"

"A nucleus with a balanced ratio of protons to neutrons, which does not undergo radioactive decay."

"Alpha Radiation"

"A type of radiation with a strong ionizing power and a very short range; commonly used in smoke detectors."

"Beta Radiation"

"Radiation resulting from the decay of a neutron into a proton and an electron (beta particle); has intermediate ionizing power and range."

"Gamma Radiation"

"High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus; has high penetration power and low ionizing power."

"Irradiation"

"The process of exposing objects to radiation rays; can be harmful or beneficial depending on the context."

"Contamination"

"The presence of radioactive materials on or inside an object; differs from irradiation which is exposure to radiation."

"Sterilization Using Radiation"

"The process of using gamma rays, such as from cobalt-60, to kill bacteria on fruits or other objects without making them radioactive."

"Medical Irradiation"

"The use of radioactive sources for medical purposes, such as sterilizing equipment or treating tumors with gamma rays."

"Gamma Knife"

"A specialized tool that uses gamma-ray beams to target and destroy malignant brain cells while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue."

"Contamination Detection"

"The use of radioactive isotopes to detect leaks or contamination by measuring accumulated gamma radiation in a specific area."

"Radiation Sickness"

"The illness caused by exposure to high levels of radiation, which can damage or destroy cells and tissues in the body."

"Nuclear Fission"

"The process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy and neutrons, and initiating a chain reaction."

"Nuclear Fusion"

"The process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy; occurs in stars like the Sun."

"Chain Reaction"

"A self-sustaining sequence of nuclear fission reactions where neutrons from one fission event trigger further fission events."

"Geiger-Müller Tube"

"A device used to detect and measure radiation by counting the number of ionizing particles that pass through it."

"Radiation Penetration"

"The ability of different types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma) to penetrate materials; gamma rays penetrate most deeply."

"Medical Tracers"

"Radioactive isotopes used in medical imaging to trace the movement of substances through the body and detect issues."

"Protective Gear"

"Equipment used to shield individuals from exposure to radioactive materials, including lead aprons and face masks."

"Technetium-99"

"A radioactive isotope used as a tracer in medical imaging; has a short half-life and low toxicity."

"Leak Detection"

"The use of radioactive isotopes to locate leaks in pipes or containers by measuring the accumulation of gamma radiation."

"Radiation Exposure

"The amount of radiation absorbed by an object or person; managed by limiting time, distance, and shielding."

"Alpha Decay"

"A type of radioactive decay where an alpha particle is emitted, reducing the mass number by 4 and atomic number by 2."

"Beta Decay"

"A type of radioactive decay where a neutron converts to a proton and an electron is emitted, increasing the atomic number by 1."

"Gamma Emission"

"The release of high-energy electromagnetic waves from a nucleus as it transitions to a lower energy state after alpha or beta decay."

"Nuclear Reactor"

"A facility where nuclear fission occurs in a controlled manner to generate energy, primarily by heating water to produce steam."

"Sun's Fusion"

"The process where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium in the Sun, releasing energy and driving stellar processes."

"Plasma State"

"A state of matter where gases are ionized, enabling nuclear fusion to occur due to the high temperatures and pressures."

"Radiation Safety"

"Practices and precautions taken to minimize exposure to radioactive materials and ensure safety in handling and usage."

"Contamination vs. Irradiation"

"Contamination refers to radioactive materials on or inside an object, while irradiation refers to exposure to radiation."

"Radiation Detection"

"The process of using instruments like Geiger counters to measure radiation levels and assess exposure."

"Radiation Protection"

"Methods to safeguard individuals from harmful effects of radiation, including using shielding, protective clothing, and minimizing exposure time."

"Radioactive Decay"

"The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation; includes alpha, beta, and gamma decay."