Nuclear Chemistry: Nature's Power Pack

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers fundamental concepts of nuclear chemistry, including the types of radioactive decay, units of measurement like half-life, and the mechanisms of fission and fusion technologies.

Nuclear Radiation

A form of ionizing radiation that results from the changes in nuclei of atoms.

Radioactivity

The emission of energetic particles and photons from unstable atomic nuclei.

Radioisotopes

Elements that emit radioactivity.

Nucleons

Protons and neutrons that collectively make up the nucleus of an atom.

Strong Nuclear Force

A short-range force that holds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, overcoming the electrostatic repulsion between protons.

Nuclide

A type of atom specified by its atomic number, atomic mass, and energy state.

Radioactive Decay

The process during which parts of a nucleus break off and are emitted as particles, often resulting in transmutation.

Alpha Particle ($\alpha$)

A group composed of two protons and two neutrons emitted as a radioactive particle; it is identical to a helium nucleus ($He^{2+}$).

Beta Particle ($\beta$)

A rapidly-moving electron emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay when a neutron converts into a proton and an electron.

Gamma Ray ($\gamma$)

A very energetic form of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by radioactive substances.

Ionizing Radiation

Emissions such as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays that can ionize atoms they encounter.

Positron

A positively charged electron and a form of antimatter that has the same mass as an electron but opposite charge.

Decay Series

The predictable pattern of transmutations a radioactive atom undergoes on its way to becoming a stable element.

Half-life

The amount of time it takes for half of the atoms in a radioactive sample to decay to the next step in its decay series.

Geiger Counter

A device used to detect and measure radioactive emissions by producing audible clicks.

Radioisotopic Dating

The method of using the concentration and decay rate of a radioactive substance (like Carbon-14 or Uranium-238) to establish the age of an object.

Computed Tomography (CT or CAT scan)

A medical imaging technology that uses software to analyze x-ray data to provide well-defined cross-sectional images of organs.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

An imaging tool that detects the gamma rays emitted when positrons from an injected radioisotope annihilate with electrons in the body.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A scanning technology that uses strong magnetic fields and radio pulses to detect energy emitted by hydrogen nuclei.

Radiotherapy

The use of targeted ionizing radiation to kill malignant cancer cells by damaging their molecules.

Food Irradiation

The process of bombarding food with gamma rays to kill bacteria and molds, thereby extending shelf life.

Fission

The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei, releasing significant energy and neutrons.

Chain Reaction

A repeating nuclear reaction that starts with the splitting of a heavy nucleus and is sustained by the neutrons released from each subsequent fission.

Critical Mass

The minimum quantity of a radioactive material necessary to sustain a fission chain reaction.

Nuclear Reactor

A device used to initiate and control a sustained nuclear fission chain reaction to generate power.

Fuel Rods

Long metal rods containing enriched uranium-235 oxide pellets used as the energy source in a nuclear reactor.

Control Rods

Rods made of neutron-absorbing materials like cadmium or boron used to regulate or stop the fission rate in a reactor core.

Moderator

A substance, such as water or graphite, that slows down neutrons in a reactor to increase the probability of fission collisions.

Fusion

The nuclear reaction where two light nuclei merge to form a heavier nucleus, releasing enormous amounts of energy.

Deuterium ($^{2}H$)

An isotope of hydrogen containing one proton and one neutron, used as fuel in fusion reactions.

Tritium ($^{3}H$)

An isotope of hydrogen containing one proton and two neutrons, having a half-life of about 12 years.

Plasma

A state of matter consisting of a gas of separate electrons and positive nuclei, required for fusion to occur.

Tokamak

A torus-shaped device that uses magnetic fields to contain plasma for controlled nuclear fusion research.

Inertial Confinement

A fusion approach that uses high-powered lasers to compress small fuel pellets to the point where nuclei touch and fuse.