Nuclear Physics
Atomic Number:
The
number equal to the number of
protons in an
atom
that determines its
chemical properties. Symbol:
Z
Atomic Mass:
The mass of an atom expressed in atomic mass units.
Strong (nuclear) Force:
Afundamental force that is associated with the strong bonds
between
quarks and other subatomic particles.
Weak (nuclear) Force:
One of the four
fundamental forces that is associated with nuclear decay.
Binding Energy:
The energy needed to
separate the constituent parts of an
atom
or
nucleus.
Mass Defect:
The
difference between the mass of an
atom
and the sum of the masses of its
individual
components.
Mass-Energy Equivalence:
All mass represents an equivalent amount of energy. 1 amu = 931
MeV.
Radioactivity:
Emission of
radiation as a
consequence of a
nuclear
reaction, or directly from the
breakdown of an
unstable
nucleus.
Half Life:
The time required for half of the
nuclei in a
sample
of a specific
isotope to undergo
radioactive
decay.
Alpha Particle:
A
positively
charged
helium
nucleus (consisting of two
protons and two
neutrons).
Beta Particle:
An energetic electron produced as the result of a
nuclear reaction or
nuclear decay.
Gamma Particle/Ray:
Very high
frequency
electromagnetic
radiation emitted as a
consequence of
radioactivity.
Fission:
The
process whereby one item splits to become two.
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