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51 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Nuclear reaction |
Changes occur involving the number of protons neutrons or electrons in a single atom |
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In nuclear equations the total of the atomic number and the total of the mass number must be ______ on both sides of the equation |
Equal |
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Nucleon |
Proton or neutron |
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Nuclide |
An atom that is identified by the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus |
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Mass defect |
The difference between the mass of an atom and the sum of the masses of the atoms protons neutrons and electrons |
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Nuclear binding energy |
The energy released when a nucleus is formed from nucleons |
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Nuclear reaction |
A reaction that affects the nucleus of an atom |
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Transmutation |
The transformation of atoms of one element into atoms of another element as a result of a nuclear reaction |
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Radioactive decay |
The disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus into one or more different nuclides, accompanied by the emission of radiation, the nuclear capture or ejection of electrons, or fission |
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Nuclear radiation |
The particles that are released from the nucleus during radioactive decay, such as protons, neutrons and electrons |
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Radioactive nuclide |
A nuclide that contains isotopes that decay and that emit radiation |
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Alpha particle |
A positively charged atom that is released in the disintegration of radioactive elements that contains two protons and two neutrons |
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Beta particle |
The charged electron emitted During certain types of radioactive decay, such as beta decay |
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Positron |
A particle that has the same mass and spin as an electron, but has a positive charge |
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Electron capture |
The process in which an inner orbital electron is captured by the nucleus of the atom that contains the electron |
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Gamma ray |
The high-energy photon emitted by a nucleus during fission and radioactive decay |
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Half life |
The time required for half of the sample of a radioactive isotope to break down by radioactive decay to form a daughter isotope |
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Decay series |
A series of radioactive nuclides produced by successive radioactive decay until a stable nuclide is reached |
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Parent nuclide |
A radionuclide that yields a specific daughter nuclide as a later member of a radioactive series |
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Daughter nuclide |
A nuclide produced by the radioactive decay of another nuclide |
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Artificial transmutation |
The transmutation of atoms of one element into atoms of another element as a result of a nuclear reaction, such as bombardment with neutrons |
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Transuranium element |
A synthetic element whose atomic number is greater than that of uranium |
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Roentgen |
A unit of radiation dose of x-rays or gamma rays that is equal to the amount of radiation that will produce 2.58 x 10^-4 of ions per kilogram of air at atmospheric pressure |
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REM |
The quantity of ionizing radiation that does as much damage to human tissue as roentgen of a high-voltage x-ray does |
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Film badge |
The device that measures the approximate amount of radiation received in a given period of time by people who work with radiation |
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Geiger Muller counter |
An instrument that detects and measures the intensity of radiation by counting the number of electric pulses that pass between the anode and the cathode in a tube filled with gas |
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Scintillation counter |
An instrument that converts scintillating light into an electrical signal for detecting and measuring radiation |
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Radioactive dating |
The process by which the approximate age of an object is determined based on the amount of certain radioactive nuclides present |
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Radioactive tracer |
Radioactive material that is added to a substance so that its distribution can be detected later |
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Nuclear waste |
Waste that contains radioisotopes |
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Shielding |
Radiation absorbing material that is used to decrease exposure to radiation |
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Fuel |
Uranium is most often used |
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Control rods |
Neutron absorbing rods that help control the reaction by limiting the number of free neutrons |
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Moderator |
Water, sometimes carbon, is used to slow down the fast neutrons produced by fission |
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Coolant |
Water acts as a coolant and transports heat between the reaction and the steam turbines to produce electric current |
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Atomic bomb |
Fission reaction |
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Nuclear power plants |
Use heat from nuclear reactors to produce electrical energy ; use controlled fission chain reaction to produce energy or radioactive nuclides |
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Nuclear chain reaction |
A reaction in which the material that starts the reaction, Neutron, is also one of the products and can be used to start another reaction |
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Nuclear fission |
The splitting of a nucleus into smaller fragments, this flooding is caused by bombarding the nucleus with neutrons ; releases enormous amounts of energy |
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Nuclear fusion |
Like Mass nuclei combine to form a heavier, more stable nucleus |
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Sun / Stars |
4 hydrogen nuclei combine at extremely high temperatures and pressures to form a helium nucleus - this is a fusion reaction |
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Hydrogen bomb |
Uncontrolled Fusion reactions of hydrogen are the source of energy |
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Nuclear fusion |
Products are less harmful |
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Types of nuclear waste |
Spent fuel rods, dismantled nuclear power plants, military, radioisotopes used in many hospitals |
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Containment |
On-site storage and off-site Disposal |
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On-site storage |
Most common nuclear waste is spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants - water pools - dry casks (concrete or steel) |
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Off-site disposal |
Disposal of nuclear waste is done with the intention of never retrieving the materials ; currently 77 in US |
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Alpha emission |
Paper or clothes will shield you |
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Beta emission |
Metal foil or lead will shield you |
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Gamma emission |
At least six feet of lead or concrete will protect you |
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Mass defect |
Caused by the conversion of Mass to energy when the nucleus was originally formed |
