Vocabulary List for Radioactive Decay and Alpha Radiation

Front

The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation.

Back

What is Radioactivity?

Front

What does Decay refer to in nuclear physics?

Back

The transformation of an unstable atomic nucleus into a more stable form, which may involve the emission of particles or electromagnetic waves.

Front

Define Alpha Particle.

Back

A type of radiation consisting of two protons and two neutrons, which is emitted during alpha decay.

Front

What is the Nucleus of an atom?

Back

The central part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons, and responsible for the majority of the atom's mass.

Front

What is an Isotope?

Back

Variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei.

Front

What is Half-Life in the context of radioactivity?

Back

The time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay into a more stable form.

Front

What is Radiation?

Back

Energy that is emitted in the form of waves or particles, which can be ionizing or non-ionizing.

Front

Define Ionization.

Back

The process by which an atom or molecule acquires a negative or positive charge by gaining or losing electrons.

Front

What is a Decay Chain?

Back

A series of decays that occur when a radioactive isotope transforms into another radioactive isotope and continues until a stable isotope is formed.

Front

What does Transmutation mean?

Back

The conversion of one chemical element or isotope into another, often occurring in radioactive decay processes.