Nuclear & Radiochemistry
60 terms · page 2 of 3
Neutron-to-Proton Ratio
The ratio of neutrons to protons in a nucleus, the principal determinant of its stability and decay mode.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Binding Energy
The energy that would be required to separate a nucleus completely into its individual protons and neutrons.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Chain Reaction
A self-sustaining sequence of fissions in which neutrons released by one event trigger further events.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Chemistry
The study of changes that occur in atomic nuclei and of the properties of radioactive substances.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Cross Section
A measure of the probability that a particular nuclear reaction will occur between a nucleus and an incident particle.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Fission
The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei with the release of neutrons and a large amount of energy.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Fuel Enrichment
The process of increasing the proportion of a fissile isotope above its natural abundance.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Fusion
The combining of light nuclei into a heavier one, releasing energy.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Isomer
A nucleus in a long-lived excited state that decays to its ground state by gamma emission.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Reactor
A device in which a controlled nuclear chain reaction generates heat for power or produces radioisotopes.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclear Stability
The tendency of a nucleus to persist without undergoing radioactive decay.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryNuclide
A distinct species of atom characterised by a specific number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryParent and Daughter Nuclide
The nuclide undergoing decay and the nuclide produced by that decay.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryPenetrating Power
The depth to which a given type of radiation can travel into a material before being absorbed.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryPositron Emission
Radioactive decay in which a proton converts into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryRadiation Dose
A measure of the energy deposited in matter by ionising radiation.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryRadioactive Activity
The number of nuclear disintegrations occurring in a sample per unit time.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryRadioactive Decay Series
A sequence of successive radioactive decays leading from a long-lived parent to a stable end product.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryRadioactive Half-Life
The time required for half the nuclei in a radioactive sample to decay.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryRadioactive Tracer
A radioisotope introduced into a system so that its pathway can be followed by detecting its radiation.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryRadioactive Waste
Material containing radionuclides for which no further use is foreseen and which requires controlled disposal.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryRadioactivity
The spontaneous emission of particles or electromagnetic radiation from unstable atomic nuclei.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryRadiocarbon Dating
A dating technique that determines the age of organic material from its residual carbon-14 content.
Nuclear & RadiochemistryRadioisotope
An isotope of an element whose nucleus is unstable and undergoes radioactive decay.