Chapter 24: Nuclear Chemistry // Study Guide
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penetrating power
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the ability of radiation to pass through matter
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radioisotopes
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isotopes of atoms with unstable nuclei that emit radiation // isotopes of atoms with unstable nuclei, emit radiation to attain more-stable atomic configurations
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X ray
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a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation, but are not produced by radioactive sources and their energy is lower than that of gamma rays
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band of stability
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the area on the graph within which all stable nuclei are found
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electron capture
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occurs when the nucleus of an atom draws in a surrounding electron, usually one from the lowest energy level
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half-life
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the time required for one-half the of a radioisotope's nuclei to decay into its products
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nucleons
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protons and neutrons which are positively contained in an atom's nucleus
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positron
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a particle with that same mass as an electron but opposite charge; thus, it is represented by the beta symbol +, or by e+.
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positron emission
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a radioactive decay process that involves the emission of a positron from a nucleus
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radioactive decay series
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a series of nuclear reactions that begins with an unstable nucleus and results in the formation of a stable nucleus
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radiochemical dating
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the process of determining the age of an object by measuring the amount of a certain radioisotope remaining in that object
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strong nuclear force
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acts on subatomic particles that are extremely close together and overcomes the electrostatic repulsion among protons // a force that acts only on subatomic particles that are extremely close together
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transmutation
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the conversion of an atom of one element to an atom of another by radioactive decay processes // a reaction in which an atom's atomic number is altered //the process in which an atom of one element changes into an atom of another element
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breeder reactors
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reactors able to produce more fuel than they use
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critical mass
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the property that makes a sample massive enough to sustain a chain reaction // when present, the neutrons released in one fission cause other fissions to occur
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mass defect
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the difference in mass between a nucleus and the sum of its nucleons
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nuclear fission
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the splitting of a nucleus into fragments, which is accompanied by a very large release of energy
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nuclear fusion
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the combination of atomic nuclei // capable are of releasing very large amounts of energy // responsible for the production of the heaviest elements
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thermonuclear reactions
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a fusion reaction that takes place only at very high temperatures
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induced transmutation
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the bombardment of nuclei with particles in order to create new elements // the process which involves striking nuclei with high-velocity particles
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transuranium elements
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the elements immediately following uranium in the periodic table - elements with atomic numbers 93 and greater // elements produced in the lab by induced transmutation and are radioactive
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ionizing radiation
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radiation energetic enough to ionize matter with which it collides
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radiotracer
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used to diagnose disease and to analyze chemical reactions // a radioisotope that emits non-ionizing radiation and is used to signal the presence of an element or specific substance
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Wilhelm Roentgen
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discovered X rays in 1895
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Henri Becquerel, Marie Curie, Pierre Curie
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pioneered the fields of radioactivity and nuclear chemistry
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PET
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a procedure that uses positrons to detect many different medical disorders
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Geiger counter
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uses a gas-filled metal tube to detect and measure radiation
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iodine-131
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used to detect disorders in the thyroid gland
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rem
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a unit used to measure the amount of damage done to a body
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genetic damage
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radiation damage that can affect chromosomes and offspring
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neutron activation analysis
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a method used to detect very small amounts of an element in a sample
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scintillation counter
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contains phosphors that detect radiation
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gamma ray
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this type of radiation easily penetrates human tissue (greatest penetration power)
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somatic damage
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damage caused by radiation that affects a person, but not their offspring
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phosphor
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a material that gives off light when struck by radiation
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TLD badge
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worn by workers to monitor radiation exposure
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coolant
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substance that absorbs heat (water is the most common and is used in a nuclear reactor)
