17 terms in 3.8
Energy from the nucleus
The energy required to completely separate a nucleus into individual protons and neutrons. Equivalently, the energy rele
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
The difference between the total mass of separated nucleons and the actual mass of a nucleus: Δm = [Z × m_p + (A−Z) × m_
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two smaller fragments (typically near mass numbers around 90 and 140 for uranium-2
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
The combination of two light nuclei into a heavier nucleus, releasing energy because the product has higher binding ener
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
The principle that mass and energy are interchangeable, expressed by Einstein's equation E = mc², where E is energy, m i
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
The binding energy of a nucleus divided by the number of nucleons (A). This quantity varies with A in a characteristic c
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
A self-sustaining process where neutrons released in one fission event trigger further fissions. If the average number o
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
The minimum mass of fissile material (e.g., U-235 or Pu-239) required to sustain a chain reaction at multiplication fact
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
A material in a nuclear reactor that slows down (moderates) neutrons without absorbing them significantly, increasing th
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
Rods of neutron-absorbing material (typically cadmium or boron) inserted into a reactor core to control the multiplicati
Nuclear physics
Energy from the nucleus
A fluid that removes heat generated by nuclear fission in a reactor core, cooling the reactor and transferring heat to s
Nuclear physics
Radioactivity
The spontaneous emission of radiation (alpha, beta, or gamma) by unstable nuclei as they decay toward stability. Radioac
Nuclear physics
Radioactivity
The radioactive decay of an unstable nucleus by emitting an alpha particle (helium-4 nucleus: ⁴He or ⁴₂He), reducing the
Nuclear physics
Radioactivity
The radioactive decay of an unstable nucleus by emitting a beta particle (electron: ⁰₋₁ e or ⁰₋₁ β) and an antineutrino.
Nuclear physics
Radioactivity
The radioactive decay of an excited nucleus by emitting a high-energy photon (gamma ray: γ) without changing the number
Nuclear physics
Radioactivity
The deflection of alpha particles (helium-4 nuclei) by atomic nuclei, studied experimentally by Rutherford. Rutherford s
Nuclear physics
Radioactivity
The average density of matter within an atomic nucleus, approximately ρ ≈ 2.3 × 10¹⁷ kg/m³. Nuclear density is essential
Nuclear physics