Radioactivity

Spontaneous decomposition of unstable atomic nuclei

nuclear reaction
A process by which an isotope of one element is transformed into an isotope of another element

radioactivity
is the result of a natural change of an isotope of one element into an isotope of a different
element.

nucleons
A nuclear particle, such as a proton or neutron

positron
A positively charged electron. Results from the decay of a proton.

activity
The number of radioactive nuclei that disintegrate per unit of time

Alpha particle
A positively charged particle emitted by certain radioactive isotopes. Can be stopped by a piece
of paper (or the skin).

Beta particle
An electron ejected at high speed from the nuclei of certain radioactive isotopes. Can penetrate
paper but are stopped by a 0.5-cm sheet of lead.

Gamma ray
High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from radioactive isotopes. extremely penetrating;
they are capable of passing through more than 22cm of steel and about 2.5cm of lead.

nuclear reaction
A process by which an isotope of one element is transformed into an isotope of another element

83
All elements with an atomic number greater than ________ are radioactive and will go undergo
some type of decay.

Chemical Reactions
The number and kind of atoms the same on reactant product side. (chemical bonds made and
broken)

Beta emission
occurs in isotopes that have too many neutrons to be stable.

positron emission.
an isotope with too few neutrons, is by positron emission.

alpha particle decay

This kind of decay, 4 decreases the mass number by and the atomic number by 2.
curies (Ci)
Radioactive disintegrations are measured in _________

half-life
The period required for one-half of a sample of a radioactive substance to undergo radioactive
decay

C. Gamma Rays
Which of the following three types of radiation is the most penetrating?

A. Alpha particles
B. Beta particles
C. Gamma rays

Atom The smallest particle of an element

Balanced A chemical equation in which the total number of atoms of each kind is
chemical the same in reactants and products
equation

Chemical Pure substances composed of atoms combined in definite, fixed ratios

compounds

Chemical A representation of a chemical reaction by the formulas of reactants and

equation products

Chemical Written combination of element symbols that represents the atoms

formula combined in a chemical compound

Chemical A property that is observable in chemical reactions and changes in the

property identity of one or more reactants

Chemical A process in which one or more pure substances are converted to one or
reaction more different pure substances

Coefficient In a chemical equation, a number written before a formula to balance the

equation

Density Mass per unit volume

Diatomic Molecules composed of two atoms
molecules

Element A pure substance composed of only one kind of atom

Energy The capacity for doing work or causing change

Heterogeneous Matter that is not uniform in composition

mixture

Homogeneous Matter that is uniform in composition

mixture

Inorganic Any compound other than an organic compound

compound

Kinetic energy The energy of objects in motion

Macroscopic Large enough to be seen, felt, and handled

Mass A measure of the quantity of matter in an object

Microscopic Visible only with the aid of a microscope

Molecular A chemical formula that illustrates molecules with atomic symbols and
formula subscripts

Molecule The smallest chemical unit of a compound

Nanoscopic In the range of the nanometer (0.000000001 m)

Organic A derivative of the carbon and hydrogen compound

compound

Physical A property that can be observed without changing the identity of a

property substance

Potential Energy in storage by virtue of position or arrangement

energy

Products Substances formed as the result of a chemical reaction

Pure Matter with a uniform and fixed composition at the nanoscopic level
substance
Qualitative Describes information that is not numerical

Quantitative Describes information that is numerical

Reactants Substances that undergo chemical change in a chemical reaction

Solution A homogeneous mixture that may be in the solid, liquid, or gaseous state

Structural A chemical formula that illustrates the connections between atoms in

formula molecules as straight lines