Physical Science - Chapter 8

^^Nuclear Change^^: any change that alters the composition of the nucleus in an atom

^^X-ray^^: used for medical imagery, transportation security, and nondestructive inspection
^^Radioactive Decay^^: the naturally occurring, spontaneous change of an unstable isotope to a more stable one by emitting particles or energy or both

^^Strong Force^^: an attractive force that holds protons and neutrons together in a nucleus

Types of Radioactive Decay * ^^Alpha Decay^^: a nuclear decay that results in the emission of an alpha particle * ^^Beta Decay^^: a nuclear decay that results in the emission of a beta particle * ^^Gamma Decay^^: a nuclear decay that results in the emission of gamma rays

^^Half-life^^: the time in which half the atoms of a radioactive sample will probably decay

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^^artificial transmutation^^: a manmade artificial change
Fission * ^^fission^^: a nuclear reaction in which a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei * ^^chain reaction^^: a self-sustaining nuclear fission process in which neutrons produced in one fission reaction trigger more fission events * ^^critical mass^^: the smallest mass of fissionable material that can sustain a chain reaction

^^fusion^^: a nuclear reaction in which small nuclei combine to form a more massive nucleus

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Using Radiation * ^^radiotracer^^: a radioactive isotope used in nuclear medicine to study how an isotope moves through or collects in a certain way
Effects of Radiation * ^^ionizing radiation^^: radiation that is energetic enough to knock electrons out of atoms or molecules; most damaging to living organisms * ^^somatic damage^^: any damage to cells that are not involved in reproduction, thus harming the organism but not any future offspring * ^^genetic damage^^: any damage done to DNA in cells that can affect growth and reproduction of the cells; can be passed to offspring if it occurs in reproductive cells
Detecting Radiation * ^^Geiger counter^^: a device designed to measure ionizing radiation * ^^dosimeter^^: a device used to measure exposure to radiation

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