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Flashcards in Chapter 9 Deck (16)
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1
Q

Radioactivity

A

An unstable nucleus emits one or more particles or energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation

2
Q

Nuclear decay

A

Anytime an unstable nucleus emits alpha or beta particles and then the number of protons or neutrons changes.

3
Q

Nuclear radiation

A

It is the particles that are released from the nucleus during radioactive decay.

4
Q

Alpha particle

A

A positive atom that is released in the disintegration of radioactive elements and includes 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

5
Q

Beta particle

A

A charged electron emitted during certain types of radioactive decay.

6
Q

Neutron emission

A

Matter that is emitted from an unstable nucleus.

7
Q

Gamma ray

A

High energy proton emitted by a nucleus during fission and radioactive decay.

8
Q

Half-life

A

The time needed to disintegrate half of a radioactive sample by radioactive decay or by natural processes.

9
Q

Fission

A

A process in which a nucleus splits into fragments and releases neutrons and energy.

10
Q

Nuclear chain reaction

A

An ongoing series of nuclear fission reactions

11
Q

Critical mass

A

The minimum mass of a fissionable isotope that gives the number of neutrons needed to continue a chain reaction.

12
Q

Fusion

A

A process in which nuclei combine at high temperature and produces heavier nuclei and releases energy.

13
Q

Strong nuclear force

A

The force that holds nuclei together.

14
Q

Background radiation

A

The radiation that naturally occurs from comic rays and radioactive isotopes in the soil and air.

15
Q

Rem

A

The quantity of ionizing radiation that does damage to human tissue.

16
Q

Radioactive tracer

A

Radioactive material that is added to a substance to detected things like cancer.