Unit 10 -- Atomic and Nuclear Physics

1. radioactivity -- the spontaneous emission of energetic particles by an atomic nucleus.

2. alpha particle -- a helium nucleus, consisting of two protons and two neutrons, which is ejected by certain radioactive elements.

3. beta particle -- an electron, ejected in the radioactive decay of some elements and also neutrons.

4. gamma ray -- high-frequency electromagnetic radiation given off in the radioactive decay of some elements.

5. nucleon -- the name of the category of particles that includes the proton and neutron.

6. quarks -- the elementary constituent particles that make up nucleons.

7. strong force -- the force that attracts nucleons to each other within an atomic nucleus; it is very strong over very short distances but weakens quickly as the distance increases beyond the size of a nucleon.

8. half-life -- the time required for half of the atoms in a sample to experience radioactive decay.

9. transmutation -- the conversion of an atomic nucleus of one element into an atomic nucleus of another element through a loss or gain in protons.

10. decay series -- the sequence of successive elements that a radioactive atom transmutes into as it moves towards stability.

11. nuclear fission -- the splitting of the nucleus of a heavy atom such as uranium-235 into smaller nuclei, accompanied by the release of a great deal of energy.

12. chain reaction -- a self-sustaining reaction in which the products of one reaction event stimulate further reaction events.

13. critical mass -- the minimum mass of fissionable material in a reactor or nuclear bomb that will sustain a chain reaction.

14. breeder reactor -- a fission reactor that is designed to breed more fissionable fuel than is put into it by converting non-fissionable isotopes to fissionable isotopes.

15. nuclear fusion -- the combination of light atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei, often with the release of much energy.

16. thermonuclear fusion -- nuclear fusion produced by high temperature.

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