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Atoms and nuclear radiation key terms
Study Atoms and nuclear radiation with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
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key terms
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Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Key terms
alpha decay
The process in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, consisting of two protons and two neutrons.
nuclear equation
A symbolic representation of a nuclear reaction, showing the initial and final nuclei, including any emitted particles.
beta decay
The process in which a beta particle, a high-speed electron, is emitted from an unstable nucleus.
nuclear equation
A symbolic representation of a nuclear reaction, showing the initial and final nuclei involved, including changes in mass and atomic numbers.
gamma emission
The release of electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive decay.
nuclear equation
A symbolic representation of a nuclear reaction, showing the initial and final nuclei and any emitted particles.
mass number
The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
atomic number
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.
nuclear equation
An equation that represents the changes in atomic and mass numbers during nuclear reactions.
atomic number
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.
alpha decay
A type of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, resulting in a decrease of mass number by 4 and atomic number by 2.
mass number
The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the isotope of an element.
beta decay
A type of radioactive decay in which a high-speed electron is emitted from an unstable nucleus, resulting in an increase in atomic number by 1 while the mass number remains unchanged.
mass number
The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom, which remains unchanged during beta decay.
gamma emission
The release of electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus of an atom, which does not change the mass number or atomic number.
mass number
The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom, which is affected by nuclear reactions such as alpha and beta decay.
mass number
The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
atomic number
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.
isotope notation
A way of representing isotopes of an element, showing the element's symbol, mass number, and atomic number.
nuclear equation
An equation that represents a nuclear reaction, balancing the mass numbers and atomic numbers of the reactants and products.
nuclear equation
An equation that represents the changes in atomic and mass numbers during nuclear reactions.
conservation of charge
The principle stating that the total electric charge before and after a nuclear reaction remains constant.
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
radioactive decay
The process in which an unstable nucleus emits radiation.
half-life
The time taken for the count rate or activity from a source to fall to half its initial value.
count rate
The number of counts detected each second or each minute from a radioactive source.
radioactive decay
The process in which an unstable nucleus emits radiation.
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
radioactive decay
The process in which an unstable nucleus emits radiation.
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