Radioactivity

Front

What is radioactivity?

Back

Radioactivity is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation.

Front

What is emitted during radioactive decay?

Back

Energy, particles (such as alpha and beta particles), and gamma rays are emitted during radioactive decay.

Front

What is a radioactive isotope?

Back

A radioactive isotope is an isotope of an element that has an unstable nucleus and emits radiation.

Front

Define half-life in the context of radioactivity.

Back

Half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of the nuclei in a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay.

Front

What is nuclear fission?

Back

Nuclear fission is the process in which a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.

Front

What is nuclear fusion?

Back

Nuclear fusion is the process where two or more small nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy.

Front

What is the difference between fission and fusion?

Back

Fission splits a large nucleus into smaller ones, while fusion combines small nuclei to form a larger one.

Front

What are alpha particles?

Back

Alpha particles are positively charged particles made up of two protons and two neutrons, emitted during some types of radioactive decay.

Front

What are beta particles?

Back

Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted during radioactive decay.

Front

What is gamma radiation?

Back

Gamma radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted from a radioactive nucleus, having no mass and no charge.