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The New Alchemy
By
Michael McClure
The New Alchemy
Who Were the Players?
Matter – anything that has mass and takes
up space (volume). Energy is not matter.
Periodic table – arrangement of elements,
based on their properties
Atom – a particle of matter often thought
of as a small, hard sphere
Isotope – same chemical element, but with
a different number of neutrons
Electron – one of the parts of an atom.
Electrons have a negative (-) charge and
surround the nucleus.
Stunning Discovery
Mass – a measure of the amount of matter
Protons – one of the parts of an atom.
Protons have a (+) charge and are found in
the nucleus.
Neutrons – one of the parts of an atom.
Neutrons have no charge and are found in
the nucleus.
Nucleus – found in the center of an atom.
It contains protons and neutrons. Nuclei is
the plural of nucleus.
Nuclear fusion – combining more than one
nuclei
Element – a substance that can’t be broken
down
Synthesize – the combining of two or more
substances to make one
Nuclear fission – opposite of nuclear
fusion. Splitting of the nucleus of an atom
into smaller parts
The Search Went On
Half life – time required for half the atoms
of a radioactive material to decay
Periodic Table
Transition elements – an element that is
found in the center of the periodic table
that is a metal
Lanthanides – Elements having atomic
numbers 58-71
Atomic number – the number of protons
in an atom
Radioactivity
Radioactivity – breaking down of atomic
nuclei
Alpha emission – type of decay that gives
off an alpha particle (helium nucleus)
Beta decay – type of decay in which an
electron with a positive or negative charge
is given off
Positron emission – type of beta decay
Electron capture – type of decay where an
electron is added to the nucleus
Ion – an atom which has a charge
(i.e., Cl-1)
Alpha particle – particle given off during
alpha emission (a helium nucleus)
Artificial Isotope
Neutron emission – a type of decay where
a neutron is ejected from the nucleus