Fission and Fusion

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Proton Noun

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[pro-ton]

Back

Proton

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A subatomic particle with a positive electric charge found within the nucleus of an atom, defining its atomic number.

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Example: This diagram shows a proton, a particle with a positive charge (+), located inside the central nucleus of an atom, along with uncharged neutrons.

Front

Neutron Noun

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[noo-tron]

Back

Neutron

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A subatomic particle with no electric charge (neutral) found within the nucleus of an atom, contributing to its mass.

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Example: This diagram shows a neutron as a neutral particle (blue circle) located inside the atom's central nucleus, alongside positively charged protons (red circles).

Front

Isotope Noun

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[eye-so-tope]

Back

Isotope

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

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Example: This image shows three isotopes of hydrogen. All have one proton, but they have different numbers of neutrons (0, 1, and 2).

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Strong Force Noun

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[strong fors]

Back

Strong Force

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The fundamental force that binds protons and neutrons together in the atomic nucleus, acting over an extremely short range.

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Example: This diagram shows protons and neutrons packed together in an atom's nucleus, the place where the strong force acts to hold the nucleus together.

Front

Electromagnetic Force Noun

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[eh-lek-tro-mag-net-ik fors]

Back

Electromagnetic Force

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The fundamental force associated with charged particles, causing attraction between opposite charges and repulsion between like charges.

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Example: This diagram shows that particles with the same charge (positive-positive) push each other away, while particles with opposite charges (positive-negative) pull toward each other. This is the electromagnetic force.

Front

Weak Force Noun

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[week fors]

Back

Weak Force

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The fundamental force responsible for certain nuclear decay processes, such as a neutron changing into a proton (beta decay).

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Example: The weak force causes a neutron inside an atom's nucleus to change into a proton, releasing an electron and another tiny particle (an antineutrino).

Front

Gravitational Force Noun

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[grav-i-tay-shun-ul fors]

Back

Gravitational Force

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The fundamental force of attraction that exists between all objects that possess mass, acting over an infinite range.

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Example: An object thrown into the air, like a ball, follows a curved path and returns to the ground because of Earth's constant downward gravitational force.

Front

Radioactive Decay Noun

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[ray-dee-o-ak-tiv di-kay]

Back

Radioactive Decay

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The spontaneous process by which an unstable atomic nucleus breaks down, releasing energy and matter in the form of particles.

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Example: This graph shows that for every half-life that passes, the amount of a radioactive substance decreases by 50%, demonstrating a predictable rate of decay.

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Nuclear Fission Noun

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[noo-klee-er fish-un]

Back

Nuclear Fission

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A nuclear reaction where a large, heavy nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy.

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Example: This image shows a neutron hitting a large uranium nucleus, causing it to become unstable and split into two smaller nuclei, releasing energy and more neutrons.

Front

Nuclear Fusion Noun

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[noo-klee-er fyoo-zhun]

Back

Nuclear Fusion

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

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Example: This diagram shows two light atomic nuclei, Deuterium and Tritium, combining (fusing) to form a heavier nucleus, Helium, releasing a neutron and a large amount of energy.