NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY AND ENERGY

Nuclear Energy

power made from the core of atoms using fission, fusion, or radioactive decay

E = mc²

Albert Einstein's mass-energy equivalence equation

Radioactivity

is the natural process where unstable atoms break down and release energy and tiny particles to become stable.

Alpha (a)

Heavy particles with a +2 charge

Beta (B)

Fast moving electrons with a -1

Gamma (y)

High-energy electromagnetic waves

Nuclear Fusion

Combines two lights nuclei into one heavier nucleus
Produces more energy than fission
Power the Sun and the stars

Nuclear Fission

Splits one heavy nucleus into two smaller nuclei.
Release energy and additional neutrons
Used in nuclear power plants

Nuclear binding energy

is the energy required to split a nucleus into its protons and neutrons

Rate of decay

measures how fast an unstable nucleus transforms into a stable one. It is the occurrence of which unstable atoms release radiation to become stable.