| A | B |
|---|
| Nuclear Radiation | High-energy particles and rays that are emitted by the nuclie of some atoms; alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays are types of nuclear radiation |
| Radioactivity | The ability of some elements to give off nuclear radiation |
| Radioactive Decay | The process in which the nucleus of a radioactive atom releases to give off nuclear radiation |
| Alpha Decay | The release of an alpha particle from a nucleus |
| Mass Number | The sum of the protons and neutrons in an atom |
| Beta Decay | The release of a beta particle from a nucleus |
| Isotopes | Atoms that have the same number of protons but have different number of neutrons |
| Gamma Decay | The release of gamma rays from a nucleus |
| Half-life | The amount of time it takes for one-half the nuclei of a radioactive isotope to decay |
| Nuclear Fission | The process in which a large nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei; during this process, matter is converted into energy |
| Nuclear chain reaction | A continuous series of nuclear fission reactions |
| Nuclear Fusion | The process in which two or more nuclei with small masses join together, or fuse, to form a larger, more massive nucleus; during this process, matter is converted into energy. |
