Fundamentals
Define Isotope
an atom that has the same number of protons (or the same atomic number) as other atoms of the same element do but that has a different number of neutrons (and thus a different atomic mass)
What are the properties of the nucleus?
Protons and neutrons
What are the types of radiation?
Alpha, Beta, Gamma
When does nuclear fission occur?
Nuclear fission occurs when a heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei. For fission to occur naturally, the nucleus must release energy
What is particle physics?
Particle physics seeks to discover the ultimate structure of matter: elementary particles. Elementary particles, which are the fundamental units that compose matter, do not appear to be divisible and have neither size nor structure.
Define Strong Force
an atom that has the same number of protons (or the same atomic number) as other atoms of the same element do but that has a different number of neutrons (and thus a different atomic mass)
What is the symbol for mass number?
A
What is alpha composed of?
2 protons and 2 neutrons
When does stable nuclei turn unstable?
When a nucleus is bombarded with energetic particles, it may capture a particle, such as a neutron. As a result, the nucleus will no longer be stable and will disintegrate.
What are the four fundamental interactions?
Strong, electromagnetic, weak, and gravitational
Define Binding Energy
the energy that holds the protons together in the nucleus of an atom
What is the symbol for atomic number
Z
What is beta composed of?
Electron and Positron
What is a nuclear reaction?
Any process that involves a change in the nucleus of an atom
Describe electromagnetic force
The electromagnetic force, which is about 10− 2 times the strength of the strong force, is responsible for the binding of atoms and molecules. It is a long-range force that decreases in strength as the inverse square of the separation of the interacting particles. In the nineteenth century, it was known that a current-carrying wire produces a magnetic field, that a changing magnetic field near a loop of wire can produce a current, and that oscillating electric and magnetic fields are the building blocks of light. However, these were considered to be unrelated phenomena until James Clerk Maxwell (1831−1879) showed that these were manifestations of the underlying electromagnetic force.
What is nuclear decay
When hundreds of others are unstable and tend to break apart into other particles.
What is the symbol for neutron number
N
What is gamma composed of?
Photon
What is nuclear fission
a nucleus splits into two or more nuclei, and fusion, in which two or more nuclei combine.
Describe weak force
The weak force is a short-range nuclear force that tends to produce
instability in certain nuclei. It is responsible for beta decay, and its
strength is only about 10−13 times that of the strong force. Scientists now
believe that the weak and electromagnetic forces are manifestations of a single force called the electroweak force.
Define Half-life
the time required for half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to break down by radioactive decay to form a daughter isotope
How dense is a nucleus
2.3 × 10^17 kg/m^3
What is the charge for gamma?
0
When does nuclear fusion occur?
Nuclear fusion occurs when two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.
Describe gravitational force
The gravitational force is a long-range interaction with a strength of approximately 10−38 times that of the strong force. Although this familiar interaction is the force that holds the planets, stars, and galaxies together, its effect on elementary particles is negligible.