Isotopes
This term describes atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons.
What are isotopes?
This term refers to the time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay.
What is half-life?
This type of radiation consists of positively charged particles and is produced in nuclear reactions.
What is alpha radiation?
This technique uses radioactive isotopes to determine the age of ancient artifacts and fossils.
What is radiocarbon dating?
This term refers to the process of an unstable isotope transforming into a different element over time.
What is radioactive decay?
This isotope of uranium is used as fuel in nuclear reactors.
What is Uranium-235?
This element has a half-life of about 5,730 years and is used in dating ancient organic materials.
What is Carbon-14?
This type of radiation is made up of high-energy protons and has no mass or charge.
What is gamma radiation?
This medical procedure uses radioactive tracers to diagnose and monitor diseases in the body.
What is nuclear medicine?
This is the name of the series of decays that certain heavy elements undergo until they reach a stable isotope.
What is a decay chain?
This isotope of iodine is often used in medical imaging and treatments.
What is Iodine-131?
This concept explains why older rocks contain less radioactive isotopes than younger rocks.
What is radioactive dating?
This type of radiation consists of electrons and can penetrate materials more than alpha particles.
What is beta radiation?
This application of nuclear chemistry is used to generate electricity in power plants.
What is nuclear fission?
This is how an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation.
What is radioactive decay?