Glossary- Nuclear reactions
Alpha decay:
a nuclear reaction in which a nucleus ejects an alpha particle
Alpha particle:
a particle made up of two protons and two neutrons, making it identical to a helium
nucleus
Alpha radiation:
a form of ionising radiation made up of alpha particles
Beta decay:
a form of nuclear reaction in which a nucleus ejects a beta particle
Beta particle:
a small, negatively charged particle that can be ejected from a nucleus during a nuclear
reaction; it is identical to an electron
Beta radiation:
nuclear radiation that is made up of beta particles
Carbon dating:
a method for judging the age of artefacts or fossils by an
Fission:
a nuclear reaction in which a very large nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei of similar
mass number
Fusion:
a nuclear reaction in which two small nuclei come together to form one larger nucleus
Gamma decay:
nuclear decay that involves the release of gamma rays
Gamma radiation:
a form of ionising radiation made up of gamma rays
Gamma ray:
a very high-energy electromagnetic wave that is produced when the protons and
neutrons in a nucleus rearrange
Half-life:
the time it takes for half the nuclei to decay
Isotopes:
atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons
Nuclear decay:
when a nucleus undergoes a nuclear reaction and emits radiation
Nuclear radiation:
rays or particles that are emitted by a nucleus during a nuclear reaction
Nuclear reaction:
a process that causes a nucleus to change, including alpha decay, beta decay, fission,
and fusion
Radioactive:
emitting radiation
Radioisotopes:
an isotope with a nucleus that may undergo a nuclear reaction