Chapter 11 Flashcards
(12 cards)
Radioisotopes
The nuclei that undergo radioactive decay
Radioactive decay
The disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus with emission of radiation
Ionizing radiation
Removing electrons from molecules to form ions in cells
Alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay,
Look them up in notes.
Half – life
The time it takes for 1/2 of the original number of atoms to undergo radioactive decay. 1/2^n
Transmutation
The process of changing one element into another by altering the number of protons in the nucleus
Radiation therapy
The use of radiation to kill cancer cells
Mass – energy equation
E= mc ^2
E = amount of energy released. M = mass. C= the speed of light.
Binding energy
The energy that holds the nucleons together in an atoms nucleus
Nuclear fission
The splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller parts
Nuclear fusion
The combination of two small nuclei to produce one larger nucleus
How is radiation used in medicine?
Brain scans, blood volume determination, radiation cancer therapy, lung imaging, imaging of brain and heart.
