Nuclear Energy Vocabulary

Front

What is the process in which light nuclei combine at extremely high temperatures, forming heavier nuclei and releasing energy?

Back

Fusion.

Front

What is the disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus into one or more different nuclides called?

Back

Radioactive decay.

Front

What is an electron or positron that is emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay?

Back

Beta particle.

Front

What is the quantity of ionizing radiation that does as much damage to human tissue as 1 roentgen of high-voltage x-ray does?

Back

Rems.

Front

What is the force that holds the nucleus together?

Back

Strong nuclear force.

Front

What is the term for the energy released during nuclear fission?

Back

Nuclear energy.

Front

What is the process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into two lighter nuclei called?

Back

Fission.

Front

What type of radiation consists of high-energy electromagnetic waves?

Back

Gamma radiation.

Front

What is the unit of measurement for radioactivity, defined as one disintegration per second?

Back

Becquerel (Bq).

Front

What is the term for the minimum amount of fissile material needed to maintain a nuclear chain reaction?

Back

Critical mass.