Stenberg Chemistry Ch 22

Front 1

alpha particle

Back 1

two protons and two neutrons emitted from the nucleus during some kinds of radioactive decay

Front 2

artificial transmutation

Back 2

bombarding a stable nucleus with protons or neutrons to produce radioactive isotopes

Front 3

band of stability

Back 3

the neutron-proton ratios where stable isotopes tend to be found

Front 4

beta particle

Back 4

an electron emitted from the nucleus during some kinds of radioactive decay

Front 5

chain reaction

Back 5

a reaction in which the material that starts the reaction is also one of the products and can start another reaction

Front 6

control rod

Back 6

neutron-absorbing rods that help control a nuclear reaction by limiting the number of free neutrons

Front 7

critical mass

Back 7

the minimum mass required to sustain a chain reaction

Front 8

daughter nuclide

Back 8

a nuclide produced during the decay series of a radioactive isotope

Front 9

decay series

Back 9

a series of radioactive nuclides produced by successive radioactive decay until a stable nuclide is reached

Front 10

electron capture

Back 10

an inner-shell electron is captured by the nucleus of the atom, changing a proton to neutron

Front 11

gamma ray

Back 11

a particle high energy radiation emitted following many types of radioactive decay

Front 12

half-life

Back 12

the time required for half the atoms of a radioactive nuclide to decay

Front 13

Moderator

Back 13

a fluid, typically high pressure water, used to slow down fast moving electrons

Front 14

nuclear binding energy

Back 14

The energy released when a nucleus is formed from nucleons

Front 15

nuclear fission

Back 15

a very heavy nucleus splits into more-stable nuclei of intermediate mass

Front 16

nuclear fusion

Back 16

light-mass nuclei combine to form a heavier, more stable nucleus

Front 17

nuclear power plant

Back 17

uses the heat from controlled nuclear fission to generate electricity

Front 18

nuclear radiation

Back 18

particles, electromagnetic radiation or both that are emitted during radioactive decay

Front 19

nuclear reactor

Back 19

uses controlled nuclear fission to produce radioactive isotopes or electricity

Front 20

Nucleons

Back 20

Protons and neutrons collectively

Front 21

Nuclide

Back 21

a common name for the nucleus, used in nuclear chemistry

Front 22

parent nuclide

Back 22

the heaviest isotope in a decay series

Front 23

Positron

Back 23

a particle that has the same mass as an electron, but has a positive charge

Front 24

radioactive dating

Back 24

the process by which the approximate age of an object is determined based on the amount of certain radioactive nuclides present

Front 25

radioactive decay

Back 25

the spontaneous disintegration of a nucleus into a slightly lighter and more stable nucleus, accompanied by the emission of particles, electromagnetic radiation, or both

Front 26

radioactive nuclide

Back 26

an unstable isotope that undergoes radioactive decay

Front 27

radioactive tracer

Back 27

radioactive isotopes that are incorporated into a substance so the movement of that substance can be observed by radiation detectors

Front 28

shielding

Back 28

radiation-absorbing material that is used to decrease radiation exposure

Front 29

transmutation

Back 29

a change in the identity of a nucleus resulting in the change in the number of protons

Front 30

transuranium element

Back 30

any element with more than 92 protons in its nucleus