Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
19 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
What are nuclear reactions? |
They involve the subatomic particles of the nucleus. |
|
|
What is atomic number (Z)? |
The number of protons in the nucleus. |
|
|
What is the mass number (A)? |
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. |
|
|
What are isotopes? |
They are atoms of the same element having a different number of neutrons. |
|
|
What is radioactivity? |
The nuclear radiation by a radioactive isotope. |
|
|
What is an alpha particle? |
It is a high-energy particle that contains two protons and two neutrons. +2 charge, mass of 4 |
|
|
What is a beta particle? |
A high-energy electron. Formed when a neutron is converted to a proton and an electron. -1 charge, mass of 0 |
|
|
What is a positron? |
It is called an antiparticle of a beta particle, since their charges are different but their masses are the same. +1 charge, mass of 0. |
|
|
What are gamma rays? |
They are high-energy radiation released from a radioactive nucleus. No mass or charge. |
|
|
What is radioactive decay? |
The process by which an unstable radioactive nucleus emits radiation, forming a nucleus of new composition. |
|
|
The sum of the mass numbers (A) and the sum of the atomic numbers (Z) must be _____ on both sides of the nuclear equation. |
Equal. |
|
|
What is alpha emission? |
The decay of a nucleus by emitting an alpha particle. |
|
|
Since an alpha particle has two protons, the new nucleus has ____ than the original nucleus. |
two fewer protons. |
|
|
What is beta emission? |
The decay of a nucleus by emitting a beta particle. One neutron from the original nucleus decays to a beta particle and a proton. |
|
|
In beta emission, the new nucleus has ____ and ____ than the original nucleus. |
one more proton, one fewer neutron. |
|
|
What is positron emission? |
The decay of a nucleus by emitting a positron. One proton of the original nucleus decays to a positron particle and a neutron. |
|
|
In positron emission, the new nucleus has _____ and _____ than the original nucleus |
one fewer proton, one more neutron. |
|
|
What is gamma emission? |
It is the decay of a nucleus by emitting gamma radiation. It cause no change in the atomic number or mass number of a radioactive nucleus. |
|
|
What is the half-life of a radioactive isotope? |
It is the time it takes for one-half of the sample to decay. |
