Nuclear & Particle Physics
3 terms
Alpha Decay
Nuclear & Particle Physics
MeV (Kinetic Energy)
A radioactive decay process in which an unstable heavy nucleus emits an alpha particle (Helium-4 nucleus, ⁴₂He²⁺).
ᴬ_Z X → ᴬ⁻⁴_(Z-2) Y + ⁴₂He (Q_alpha = E_kinetic)
Antimatter
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Energy (MeV / GeV)
Subatomic material composed of antiparticles that share identical mass, spin, and lifetime as normal matter particles but possess opposite electric and quantum charges.
e⁺ + e⁻ → 2 γ (511 keV gamma photons)
Atomic Nucleus
Nuclear & Particle Physics
fm (Femtometers = 10⁻¹⁵ m)
The extremely dense, positively charged central core of an atom containing virtually all of its mass, composed of protons and neutrons bound by the strong nuclear force.
R ≈ R₀ A^(1/3), R₀ ≈ 1.2 fm