Nuclear Chemistry Vocabulary Test Questions – Flashcards
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Mass defect
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the difference between the mass of an atom and the sum of the masses of its protons, neutrons, and electrons
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Nuclear binding energy
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the energy released when a nucleus is formed from nucleons
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Nucleon
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a proton or neutron
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Nuclide
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the general term for any isotope of any element; another term for an atom that is identified by the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus
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Alpha particle
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is two protons and two neutrons bound together and is emitted from the nucleus during some kinds of radioactive decay.
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Beta particle
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an electron emitted from the nucleus during some kinds of radioactive decay
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Daughter nuclides
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a nuclide produced by the decay of a parent nuclide
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Electron capture
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the process in which an inner orbital electron is captured by the nucleus of its own atom
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Gamma ray
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a high-energy electromagnetic wave emitted from a nucleus as it changes from an excited state to a ground energy state
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Nuclear radiation
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the particles or electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay
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Parent nuclide
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the heaviest nuclide of each decay series
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Positron
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a particle that has the same mass as an electron but that has a positive charge, and is emitted from the nucleus during some kinds of radioactive decay
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Radioactive decay
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the spontaneous disintegration of a nucleus into a slightly lighter and more stable nucleus, accompanied by emission of particles, electromagnetic radiation, or both
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Radioactive Nuclide
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an unstable nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay
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Transuranium element
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an element with more than 92 protons in its nucleus
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Atomic nucleus
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Concentration of nearly all the mass, protons and neutrons
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Nuclear Force
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the force that holds nucleons together, due to the presence of neutrons, more effective with smaller nuclei
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Alpha Decay
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An unstable nucleus emits a helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons)
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Artificial Transmutation
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Humans bombard nuclei with smaller particles in the lab resulting in the formation of a different nuclei. Particles gain speed in a particle accelerator.
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Band of Stability
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A line on a graph that represents the ratio between neutrons and protons of stable nuclei. 1:1 for low atomic #'s 1.5:1 for high atomic #'s
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Beta Decay
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A neutron in an unstable nucleus becomes a proton and a high speed electron (beta particle). The proton stays in the nucleus.
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Carbon-14 (Radioactive) Dating
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The process in which the age of a carbon-containing sample is determined by measuring the amount of remaining C-14. The decay rate of C-14 is constant over time.
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Chain Reaction
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A continuous series of fission reactions. A reaction in which the material that starts the reaction is also one of the products which can be used to start another reaction
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Control Rods
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They absorb and limit the number of free neutrons in order to control the number of nuclei that undergo nuclear fission.
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Decay Series
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A series of successive decays that occur which eventually result in the production of a stable nucleus.
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E=mc2
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An equation which explains that a small amount of matter can be turned into a large amount of energy.
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Film Badges
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Tags or badges that rely on the exposure of film to measure the radiation a person experienced.
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Gamma Decay
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High energy electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from a nucleus as it changes from an excited to ground state.
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Geiger Counter
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An instrument that makes audible clicks when exposed to radiation. More clicks = higher levels of radiation.
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Half-life
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t1/2 The time required for half of the atoms in a sample of an unstable isotope to decay.
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Nuclear Fission
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The process in which a very large nucleus splits into more stable nuclei. This process releases large amounts of energy and additional neutrons.
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Nuclear Fusion
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The process in which two or more smaller nuclei join together to make one larger nucleus. This is the source of energy in the sun. Releases the most energy.
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Nuclear Meltdown
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This may occur if the cooling process in a nuclear reactor fails to remove the heat produced during the fission process.
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Nuclear Power Plant
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An alternative source of energy is created when larger nuclei split and release heat energy which heats up water which turns to steam which spins a turbine which produces electricity. The largest concern with the process is the disposal of the radioactive waste that is generated.
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Nuclear Reaction
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A reaction in which an unstable nucleus changes to become more stable.
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Radon in Homes
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A cancer-causing radioactive gas that is produced when uranium in the ground decays into radium which then decays further. This can be present in high concentrations in the basements of houses.
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rem
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Roentgen Equivalent, Man A unit used to measure the potential biological damage radiation can do to living organisms
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Roentgen
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A unit which is used to indicate the amount of radiation in the air.
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Stable Nucleus
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A nucleus that has a neutron:proton ratio that is found on the "band of stability". A 1:1 ratio if it has a low atomic number and a 1.5:1 ratio if it has a high atomic number.
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Transmutation
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A change in the identity of a nucleus as a result of a change in the number of protons in the nucleus.
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Unstable Nucleus
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A nucleus that has a neutron:proton ratio that is NOT found on the "band of stability", a radioisotope.
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alpha emission
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When an alpha particle is given off (a product) in a nuclear reaction.
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Nuclear bombardment
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A type of artificial transmutation where particle accelerators are used to hit nuclei with sub atomic particles such as neutrons or alpha particles.
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electron
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A negative subatomic particle with effectively no mass.
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proton
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A positive subatomic particle with a mass of 1 amu.
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neutron
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A neutral subatomic particle with a mass of 1 amu.
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scintillation counter
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A scintillation counter is an instrument for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation resulting in light pulses.
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radioactive tracer
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A chemical compound in which one or more atoms have been replaced by a radioisotope so by virtue of its radioactive decay it can be used to explore the mechanism of chemical reactions by tracing the path that the radioisotope follows from reactants to products.
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Nuclear waste
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The material that nuclear fuel becomes after it is used in a reactor. It looks exactly like the fuel that was loaded into the reactor -- assemblies of metal rods enclosing stacked-up ceramic pellets. A smaller percentage of radioactive material remains. Disposal of this material is the largest concern surrounding the use of nuclear power.
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Critical Mass
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The amount of fissile material needed to sustain nuclear fission.
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Nuclear Power Plant Fuel
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Only 0.7% of natural uranium is 'fissile', or capable of undergoing fission, the process by which energy is produced in a nuclear reactor. The form, or isotope, of uranium which is fissile is the uranium-235 (U-235) isotope.
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Nuclear Power Plant Containment/Shielding
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A gas-tight shell or other enclosure around a nuclear reactor to confine fission products that otherwise might be released to the atmosphere in the event of an accident. Such enclosures are usually dome-shaped and made of steel-reinforced concrete.
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Nuclear Power Plant Moderator
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A medium that reduces the speed of neutrons by reducing their temperature, usually water or graphite.
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Nuclear Power Plant Coolant
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Water used to remove heat from the reactor, generates steam used to produce electricity. Loss of coolant to the reactor core is the most common cause of nuclear accidents.
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Electromagnetic Radiation
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Includes X-rays and gamma rays
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9 times
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Radioisotopes can be used to date objects as old as ___ __________ their half life (t?/?).
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short
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Radioisotopes used for nuclear medicine (taken internally) should have a (short/long) half life.
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both fission and fusion
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Mass is converted into energy during: fission fusion both fission and fusion
