Nuclear Chemistry

The location of stable nuclei on a neutron, versus proton graph band of stability. The band of stability is the region on a graph where the ratios of neutrons to protons result in stable atomic nuclei.

A nuclear reactor that produces more fuel than it uses breeder reactor. A breeder reactor generates more fissile material than it consumes, making it a sustainable energy source.

A type of decay in which the nucleus of an atom draws in an inner electron. Electron capture. Electron capture is when an atom's nucleus absorbs one of its own electrons, turning a proton into a neutron and releasing a neutrino.

Radiation with enough energy to ionize matter it collides with. Ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is high-energy radiation that can remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating charged particles.

The difference in mass between an atom and the sum of the masses of the protons, neutrons, and electrons mass defect. Mass defect is the small amount of mass lost and converted into energy when atomic nuclei are formed.

An attractive force that acts between nuclear particles that are close together, such as protons and neutrons in a nucleus. Nuclear force. It is the strong force that holds the nucleus of an atom together, keeping protons and neutrons bonded.

A reaction that changes the composition of an atoms nucleus. Nuclear reaction. It's a process where the core of an atom is altered, often releasing energy.

A nucleon is either a proton or a neutron as a component of an atomic nucleus. Nucleons are particles that make up the core of an atom.

A state of matter consisting of electrons amp positively-charged ions. Plasma matter. It is like a supercharged gas found in things like the sun and lightning, where electrons are free to move around.

A chemical element that has an unstable nucleus and emits radiation during its decay to a stable form. Radioisotope. A radioisotope is a type of atom that changes over time by giving off energy, helping scientists study and use radiation in various fields.

A radioactive nuclide introduced into an organism for diagnostic purposes, whose pathway can be traced. Radiotracer. A radiotracer is a substance that helps doctors see how organs and tissues are functioning by tracing its movement inside the body using special imaging techniques.

A radiation detector that is triggered by a flash of light or scintillation. Scintillation counter. It is a device used to detect and measure radiation by capturing flashes of light produced when radiation interacts with certain materials.

A force that acts on subatomic particles that are extremely close together. Strong nuclear force. The strong nuclear force is what holds the nucleus of an atom together by binding protons and neutrons tightly.