Nuclear Chemistry and Radiation

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Isotope

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Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

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Nucleus

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A tiny dense region centrally located in the atom that contains all of the atom's positive charge and nearly all its mass.

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Mass number

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Represents the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. Not given on the periodic table.

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Atomic number

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The number of protons in an atom.

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Radioactive decay

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The process in which a radioactive atom spontaneously gives off radiation in the form of energy or particles to reach a more stable state.

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Nuclear radiation (ionizing radiation)

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The energy released as high-speed charged particles or high energy electromagnetic waves.

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Nuclear reaction

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A reaction that shows how one nuclide transmutates into another element via nuclear radiation.

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Transmutation

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The changing of one element into another by radioactive decay.

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Nucleon

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Either of the two subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

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Alpha particle

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A helium nucleus emitted by some radioactive substances.