Unit 3: Electricity, Magnetism, & Energy

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Nuclear Energy

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The energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, especially when used to generate electricity.

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Fission

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A nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy.

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Fusion

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A nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.

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Radioactive Decay

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A radioactive process in which a nucleus undergoes spontaneous transformation into one or more different nuclei and simultaneously emits radiation, loses electrons, or undergoes fission.

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Half-Life

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The time taken for the radioactivity of a specified isotope to fall to half its original value.

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Alternative Energy

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Energy generated in ways that do not deplete natural resources or harm the environment, especially by avoiding the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

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Alpha Decay

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Type of radioactive disintegration in which some unstable atomic nuclei dissipate excess energy by spontaneously ejecting an alpha particle.

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Beta Decay

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Radioactive decay in which an electron is emitted.

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Gamma Decay

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A radioactive process in which an atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting a gamma ray (a stream of high-energy photons).

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Energy Transformations

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Processes that convert energy from one type (e.g., kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical energy) into another. Any type of energy use must involve some sort of energy transformation.