Energy Flow and Nuclear Reactions

UNIT 9 - ISP HONORS

What is an atom?

The building blocks of matter.

What is a proton?

A particle found inside the nucleus with a positive charge.

What is an electron?

A particle found outside the nucleus with a negative charge.

What is a neutron?

A particle found inside the nucleus with a neutral charge.

What is an atomic number?

The number of protons in the nucleus.

What is the mass number?

The total number of protons and neutrons.

What is radioactive decay?

The process of an unstable nucleus emitting charged particles and energy.

What is parent material?

The starting amount of material in an isotope before radioactive decay.

What is daughter material?

The end amount of material in an isotope after radioactive decay.

What is half-life?

The amount of time is takes for half the atoms to decay during radioactive decay.

What are alpha particles?

Particles that release two neutrons and two protons and becomes a new element.

What are beta particles?

Particles that emit one high speed electron and become a new element.

What is gamma radiation?

The process that takes place when the nucleus rearranges itself into a low energy pattern.

What are elements?

Elements are found pure and cannot be broken down.

What are isotopes?

Isotopes are different versions of elements.

What is radioactive dating?

A process used to figure out the age of isotopes or rocks.

What is a nebula?

A cloud of dust and gas in space.

What is gravitational collapse?

The process where a star collapses due to gravity and becomes denser.

What is fission?

The process of splitting an atomic nucleus into fragments.

What is fusion?

Nuclei combine to form heavy nuclei.

What is a "main sequence star"?

A main sequence star is a star that uses fusion and is the most stable.

What is a red giant?

A star that only has helium left (no hydrogen).

What is a white dwarf?

The remains of a low and medium mass star after it dies.

What is a black dwarf?

When a white dwarf cools down, it becomes a black dwarf. Scientist have yet to seen one.

What is a neutron star?

What is left of a supernova. Neutron stars have a high density and emit radio waves.

What is a black hole?

Found during a supernova and it allows no light to escape.

What is a small star?

A red, dull star that has a the longest life span.

What is a medium star?

A yellow, brighter star that has a medium life span.

What is a large star?

A blue, very bright star with a very short life span.

What is mass-energy?

Both mass and energy are the same and can be changed to one another.

What is a nucleus?

The center of an atom that has a positive overall charge.

What type of reaction occurs within the sun?

Nuclear fusion.

Stars transfer nuclear energy into what?

Light and heat.

Why doesn't the nucleus fall apart if protons and neutrons repel eachother?

The strong nuclear force within the nucleus outweighs the electromagnetic force.

Why do the stars shine?

The nuclear fusion taking place in the core transfers to the surface of the star.

Where do the other elements (besides hydrogen and helium) come from?

They come from nuclear fusion within stars and supernovas.