Quest 11: Nuclear Chemistry – Flashcards
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alpha decay
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A form of radioactive decay in which an atom emits an alpha particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons. Written as ⁴₂He ²⁺
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fission
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A large atom is shot with a neutron, splitting it into two, smaller atoms and producing radioactive particles
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fission
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can be harnessed to produce electrical energy or used in nuclear bombs
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fusion
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Joining of two small, light nuclei using tremendous energy and pressure to form a larger, heavier atom.
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fusion
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produces the largest amount of energy
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fusion
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occurs in stars like the Sun, but has not been harnessed to produce energy on earth
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fission
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produces the radioactive particles that undergo radioactive decay
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radioactive decay
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used to find the age of sediments, fossils, and organic matter
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radioactive decay
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natural process in which an unstable atom (isotope) changes structure as it loses subatomic particles and/or energy while reaching a more stable form
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beta radiation
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radioactive decay that can penetrate skin, but is blocked by metals and most thick solids (wood, etc).
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alpha radiation
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least penetrating form of radiation
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gamma radiation
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most penetrating form of radiation, can only be blocked by a thick lead lining
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beta decay
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Radioactive decay in which a neutron is converted into a proton and an high-energy electron,and the electron is lost as beta radiation. Represented as ⁰₋₁e⁻
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gamma decay
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Radioactive decay in which energy is emitted, without changing the atomic number or mass. Represented as Y
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radioactive decay
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produces small amounts of energy that can be harnessed in nuclear medicine to scan and produce images of organs
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americum-241
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beta decay of Plutonium-241 produces?
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uranium-240
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alpha decay of Plutonium-244 produces
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plutonium-239
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gamma decay of Plutonium-239 produces
