Nuclear Physics Exam Questions with Verified Answers

radioactivity - ANSWER-the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles and energy radioisotopes - ANSWER-any atom containing an unstable nucleus nuclear radiation - ANSWER-charged particles and energy that are emitted from the nuclei of radioisotopes alpha particle - ANSWER-a positively charged particle made up of two protons and two electrons-same as a helium nucleus beta particle - ANSWER-an electron emitted by an unstable nucleus background radiation - ANSWER-nuclear radiation that occurs naturally in the environment Geiger counter - ANSWER-uses a gas-filled tube to measure ionizing radiation half-life - ANSWER-the time required for one half of a sample of a radioactive element to decay transmutation - ANSWER-the conversion of atoms of one element to atoms of another-involves nuclear but not chemical change transuranium elements - ANSWER-elements with atomic numbers greater than 92 strong nuclear force - ANSWER-the attractive force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus fission - ANSWER-the splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller parts fusion - ANSWER-where the nuclei of two atoms combine to form a larger nucleus E=MC^2 - ANSWER-Albert Einstein's mass energy equation chain reaction - ANSWER-in it, neutrons are released during the splitting of an initial nucleus trigger a series of nuclear forces critical mass - ANSWER-the smallest possible mass of a fisionable material that can sustain a chain reaction