Nuclear Radiation 1 (2024)

Isotope

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Atomic number

The number of protons in a nucleus which cannot change during chemical reactions.

Mass number

The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Radioactivity

The process by which substances spontaneously emit rays and particles (radiation).

Alpha radiation

Radiation consisting of helium nuclei emitted from a radioactive source, with a positive charge.

Beta radiation

Radiation resulting from the breaking apart of a neutron into a proton and an electron, allowing it to pass through materials more easily than alpha particles.

Gamma radiation

A high energy photon emitted by a radioisotope, having no mass or charge and capable of passing through substances easily.

Radioactive decay

The process by which an unstable nucleus emits radiation and energy to achieve a more stable state.

Radioisotope

An unstable radioactive isotope that transforms into a stable (nonradioactive) isotope of a different element.

Nuclear reactions

Processes that involve changes in the nucleus of an atom, which are not affected by temperature, pressure, or catalysts.