Nuclear Technologies

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Ionizing Radiation Noun

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[eye-on-eye-zing ray-dee-ay-shun]

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Ionizing Radiation

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Radiation with sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms, creating ions and potentially causing damage to living tissue.

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Example: This diagram shows how a source of ionizing radiation can damage the DNA inside a cell, which can cause the cell to become cancerous and multiply into a tumor.

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Alpha Particle Noun

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[al-fuh par-ti-kuhl]

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Alpha Particle

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A form of ionizing radiation made of two protons and two neutrons, which is highly damaging but easily shielded.

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Example: This diagram shows an unstable parent nucleus undergoing alpha decay, releasing an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons) and becoming a stable daughter nucleus.

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Beta Particle Noun

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[bay-tuh par-ti-kuhl]

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Beta Particle

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A high-energy electron or positron released during radioactive decay that can penetrate materials more deeply than alpha particles.

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Example: This diagram shows an unstable atomic nucleus ejecting a beta particle (an electron), which is created when a neutron inside the nucleus changes into a proton.

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Gamma Rays Noun

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[gam-uh rayz]

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Gamma Rays

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High-frequency electromagnetic waves that constitute a highly penetrating form of ionizing radiation, often released during nuclear decay.

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Example: This diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum, placing gamma rays at the end with the shortest wavelength and highest frequency, which corresponds to the highest energy.

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Radioactivity Noun

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[ray-dee-oh-ak-tiv-i-tee]

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Radioactivity

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The spontaneous process where an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting particles or electromagnetic waves, known as radiation.

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Example: This graph shows radioactive decay, where the amount of a substance decreases by half after each 'half-life' period passes.

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Nuclear Fission Noun

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[noo-klee-er fish-un]

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Nuclear Fission

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A nuclear reaction where a heavy atomic nucleus splits into smaller parts, releasing a significant amount of energy.

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Example: A neutron hits a large, unstable atom (like Uranium-235), causing it to split into smaller atoms, releasing a large amount of energy and more neutrons.

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Nuclear Fusion Noun

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[noo-klee-er fyoo-zhun]

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Nuclear Fusion

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A nuclear reaction where two or more light atomic nuclei merge to form a heavier nucleus, releasing immense energy.

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Example: Two small atomic nuclei (Hydrogen-1 and Hydrogen-2) combine to form a larger nucleus (Helium-3), releasing a large amount of energy in the process.

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Half-life Noun

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[haf-lyf]

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Half-life

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The specific time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a given sample to undergo radioactive decay.

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Example: This graph shows that for every half-life that passes, the amount of a radioactive substance like Cobalt-60 decreases by exactly half.

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rem (roentgen equivalent man) Noun

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[rem]

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rem (roentgen equivalent man)

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A unit measuring the biological risk of ionizing radiation, known as dose equivalent, commonly used in the United States.

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Example: This scale shows that rem (roentgen equivalent man) is a unit used to measure the biological effect of radiation, with higher numbers indicating a greater dose.

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Sievert (Sv) Noun

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[see-vert]

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Sievert (Sv)

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The standard international (SI) unit for dose equivalent, quantifying the health effect of ionizing radiation on the human body.

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Example: This image shows a person using a device to measure radiation, introducing the Sievert as the unit for measuring radiation dose and its effect.