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Chapter 25 Nuclear Chemistry
Key Concepts and Vocabulary
31
Chemistry
11th Grade
05/22/2012

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Term
How does an unstable nucleus release energy?
Definition
an unstable nucleus releases energy by emitting radiation during the process of radioactive decay.
Term
What are the three main types of nuclear radiation?
Definition
the three main types of nuclear radiation are alpha radiation, beta radiation, and gamma radiation.
Term
Radioactivity
Definition
the process by which materials emit rays.
Term
Radiation
Definition
the penetrating rays and particles emitted by a radioactive source.
Term
Radioisotopes
Definition
the nuclei of unstable isotopes.
Term
Alpha particle
Definition
consists of helium nuclei and contains two protons and two neutrons and has a double positive charge.
Term
Beta particle
Definition
an electron resulting from the breaking apart of a neutron in an atom.
Term
Gamma ray
Definition
a high energy photon emitted by a radioisotope.
Term
What determines the type of decay a radioisotope undergoes?
Definition
the neutron-to-proton ratio determines the type of decay that occurs.
Term
How much of a sample of a radioisotope remains after each half-life?
Definition
after each half-life, half of the existing radioactive atoms have decayed into atoms of a new element.
Term
What are two ways that transmutation can occur?
Definition
transmutation can occur by radioactive decay. transmutation can also occur when particles bombard the nucleus of an atom.
Term
Nuclear force
Definition
an attractive force that acts between all nuclear particles that are extremely close together, such as protons and neutrons in a nucleus.
Term
Band of stability
Definition
a region where the nuclei are located.
Term
Positron
Definition
a particle with the mass of an electron but a positive charge.
Term
Half-life (t1/2)
Definition
the time required for one-half of the nuclei of a radioisotope sample to decay to products.
Term
Transmutation
Definition
the conversion of an atom of one element to an atom of another element.
Term
Transuranium elements
Definition
the elements in the periodic table with atomic numbers above 92, the atomic number of uranium.
Term
What happens in a nuclear chain reaction?
Definition
in a chain reaction, some of the neutrons produced react with other fissionable atoms, producing more neutrons which react with still more fissionable atoms.
Term
Why are spent fuel rods from a nuclear reaction stored in water?
Definition
water cools the spent rods, and also acts as a radiation shield to reduce the radiation levels.
Term
How do fission reactions and fusion reactions differ?
Definition
fusion reactions, in which small nuclei combine, release much more energy than fission reactions, in which large nuclei are split.
Term
Fission
Definition
when the nuclei of certain isotopes are bombarded with neutrons.
Term
Neutron moderation
Definition
a process that slows neutrons so the reactor fuel (uranium-235 or plutonium-239) captures them to continue the chain reaction.
Term
Neutron absorption
Definition
a process that decreases the number of slow-moving neutrons.
Term
Fusion
Definition
occurs when nuclei combine to produce a nucleus of greater mass.
Term
What are three devices used to detect radiation?
Definition
devices such as Geiger counters, scintillation counters, and film badges are commonly used to detect radiation.
Term
How are radioisotopes used in medicine?
Definition
radioisotopes can be used to diagnose medical problems and, in some cases, to treat diseases.
Term
Ionizing radiation
Definition
radiation with enough energy to knock electrons off some atoms of the bombarded sunstance to produce ions.
Term
Geiger counter
Definition
uses a gass-filled metal tube to detect radiation.
Term
Scintillation counter
Definition
uses a phosphor-coated surface to detect radiation.
Term
Film badge
Definition
consists of several layers of photographic film covered with black lightproof paper, all encased in a plastic or metal holder.
Term
Neutron activation analysis
Definition
a procedure used to detect trace amounts of elements in samples.
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