19.2 Radioactive Decay

Front

Transmutation

Back

a reaction in which an atoms atomic number is altered

Front

Nucleons

Back

The protons and neutrons in an atom´s nucleus

Front

Strong Nuclear force

Back

acts on subatomic particles that are extremely close together, overcoming the electrostatic repulsion among protons

Front

Band of Stability

Back

The area of a graph within which all stable nuclei are found

Front

positron emission

Back

A radioactive decay process that involves the emission of a positron from a nucleus

Front

Positron

Back

A particle with the same mass as an electron bu an opposite charge

Front

Alpha decay

Back

Reduces the number of protons and neutrons in nuclei

Front

Beta decay

Back

Changes a neutron into a proton

Front

Electron capture

Back

occurs when the nucleus of an atom draws in a surrounding electron, usually one from the lowest energy level

Front

Radioactive decay series

Back

A series of nuclear reactions that begin with an unstable nucleus and results in the formation of a stable nucleus.