Nuclear Energy Vocabulary

Front

What is the time required for half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to break down?

Back

Half-life

Front

What is the process by which a nucleus splits into two or more fragments?

Back

Fission

Front

What is the disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus into different nuclides called?

Back

Radioactive decay

Front

What is a positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons?

Back

Alpha particle

Front

What is the high-energy photon emitted by a nucleus during fission?

Back

Gamma ray

Front

What term describes the rate at which a radioactive isotope decays?

Back

Decay rate

Front

What is the process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus?

Back

Fusion

Front

What is the term for the particles emitted during radioactive decay?

Back

Nuclear radiation

Front

What is the term for the energy released during nuclear reactions?

Back

Nuclear energy

Front

What is the term for the particles that are emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay and have a negative charge?

Back

Beta particle