PS Module 20: Radioactivity & Nuclear Reactions

particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons that is emitted from a decaying atomic nucleus

• alpha particle

• beta particle

• tracer

• half-life

high-energy electron that is emitted when a neutron decays into a proton

• beta particle

• alpha particle

• strong force

• tracer

series of fission reactions caused by the release of additional neutrons in every step

• chain reaction

• transmutation

• alpha particle

• radioactivity

amount of time it takes for half the nuclei in a sample of radioactive isotope to decay

• half-life

• strong force

• chain reaction

• tracer

process that occurs when a nucleus decays and emits matter and energy

• radioactivity

• chain reaction

• alpha particle

• transmutation

attractive force that acts between protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus

• strong force

• chain reaction

• beta particle

• transmutation

radioactive isotope that can be detected by the radiation its emits after it is absorbed by a living organism

• tracer

• alpha particle

• beta particle

• strong force

process of changing one element to another through radioactive decay

• transmutation

• chain reaction

• radioactivity

• strong force