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Transcript
Terms to Know Alpha particles : The alpha particle (symbolized by the Greek letter α) is a positively charged particle that makes up the nucleus of the helium atom (two protons and two neutrons). Artificial transmutation : An artificially induced nuclear reaction caused by the bombardment of a nucleus with subatomic particles or small nuclei. There are two reactants. Beta particles : A beta particle is an electron emitted by the nucleus of a radioactive atom. Decomposition : A chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down into simpler compounds or elements. Fission : When a neutron strikes the nucleus of certain isotopes, the nucleus breaks or splits apart into two roughly equal and smaller parts (lighter nuclei) in a process known as nuclear fission. Gamma radiation : Gamma radiation is one of the three forms of radiation emitted by radioactive materials, the others being alpha and beta radiation. Gamma radiation consists of gamma rays, high energy forms of electromagnetic radiation are somewhat similar to x rays. Natural decay : When a radioactive species ejects alpha, beta, gamma, and positron. Natural transmutation : A nuclear reaction occurring naturally with one reactant. Nuclear reaction : A nuclear reaction is a change that occurs in the nucleus of an atom. Nuclear reactions are different from chemical reactions in that the latter involve the gain and loss of electrons that orbit an atomic nucleus, but do not involve any change in the nucleus itself Positrons : The positron is the antiparticle of the electron. It has the same mass and the same quantity of electric charge as does the electron, but its electric charge is positive rather than negative. Radioactivity : Radioactivity is the emission of radiation by unstable nuclei. That radiation may exist in the form of subatomic particles (primarily alpha and beta particles) or in the form of energy (primarily gamma rays). Radioactive isotopes : The term radioisotope is shorthand for radioactive isotope. Isotopes are forms of an element whose atoms differ from each other in the number of neutrons contained in their nuclei and, hence, in their atomic masses. Hydrogen(H), for instance has three naturally occurring isotopes. Hydrogen-1, hydrogen-2, and hydrogen-3 are all isotopes of each other.