The Atomic Structure and Atomic Theory

What is Nuclear Fusion?

• A process where atomic nuclei of high atomic number split apart, releasing energy

• A nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy

• A chemical reaction that occurs at high temperatures and pressures

• A method of generating electricity using fossil fuels

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atomic number of an element

• The number of neutrons in an element's nucleus.

• The number of protons in an element's nucleus.

• The total number of electrons in an element.

• The average mass of an element's isotopes.

beta decay

• radioactive decay in which an electron is emitted

• radioactive decay in which a proton is emitted

• radioactive decay that involves the release of gamma rays

• radioactive decay that results in the formation of a neutron

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Protons

• The negatively charged particles of an atom

• The positively charged particles of an atom

• The neutral particles of an atom

• The particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom

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What is an isotope?

• Atoms of the same element with different numbers of protons.

• Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

• Atoms of different elements with the same number of neutrons.

• Atoms that have the same mass but different charges.

Nucleus

• The center of an atom

• A type of subatomic particle

• The outer layer of an atom

• A form of energy

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alpha decay

• A nuclear reaction where an atom emits an alpha particle with two protons and two neutrons, thus increasing the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4

• A process where an atom splits into two smaller atoms, releasing energy

• A reaction in which an atom absorbs a neutron and becomes unstable

• A type of radioactive decay that involves the emission of beta particles

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In the nucleus

• Contains only protons

• Contains only neutrons

• Has both protons and neutrons

• Contains electrons and protons

Neutron

• The charge is positive

• The charge is negative

• The charge is neutral (no charge)

• The charge is variable

gamma decay

• the release of gamma rays from a nucleus

• the emission of alpha particles from a nucleus

• the absorption of beta particles by a nucleus

• the fusion of atomic nuclei

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