| A | B |
|---|
| mass defect | the mass of a nucleus is heavier then all the protons and neutrons that make it up |
| radioactivity | when an atom's nucleus could spontaniously disintigrate while giving off energy |
| radioactivity contains this | alpha & beta particles & gamma rays |
| radioactive decay | spontaneous change in the nucleaus of an atom |
| transmutaion | conversion of one element into another element |
| nuclear reaction | radioactive nucleus goes thru transmutation |
| 2 main processes of nuclear reaction | fusion & fission |
| fusion | nuclei of several light atoms combine to form a single heavy nucleaus w/ a release of energy |
| fission | heavy nucleus splits in 2 main pieces w/ a release of a huge amount of energy |
| quantum mechanics | light is a combination of particles and waves |
| photoelectric effect | the abstract concept of particle-wave duality in concrete form |
| ionization | when a light wave strikes certain metalic surfaces electrons are emitted |
| theory of relativity | the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and an absolute physical boundary for motion. |
| theory of relativity | objects will move slower and shorten in length from the point of view of an observer on Earth. |
| theory of relativity | the speed of light is absolute and material particles can never reach the speed of light |
