| A | B |
|---|
| Nucleus | Center of the atom, contains protons and usually neutrons |
| Strong Force | Attractive force between all particles in the nucleus |
| Weak Force | Force that causes a neutron to break down when the proton to neutron ratio is too low |
| Nuclear Decay | When atoms of one element change into an atom of a different element |
| Radioactivity | Process of a nucleus decaying and emitting matter and energy |
| Electromagnetic Force | The force that causes protons to be repelled by each other |
| Isotope | Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons |
| Mass Number | Sum of the number of Protons & Neutrons |
| Nuclear Symbol | The atomic number in subscript and mass number in superscript in front of the atomic symbol |
| Alpha Decay | Emitting an alpha particle from the nucleus of an atom |
| Alpha Particle | 2 protons + 2 neutrons |
| Beta Decay | An electron is emitted from an unstable nucleus |
| Gamma Decay | An unstable nucleus emits a gamma ray as part of its decay |
| Gamma Ray | Form of invisible radiation, a wave, like ultraviolet light, but stronger |
| Half-life | The time required for ½ of a sample of a radioisotope to decay |
| Transmutation | Converting one element into another |
| Fission | The splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller parts, releasing gigantic amounts of energy |
| Fusion | Process in which the nuclei of two atoms combine to form a larger nucleus, releasing gigantic amounts of energy |
| Geiger Counter | Instrument that detects radiation |
| Tracer | Radioactive isotope that doctors use to locate molecules in an organism |
| Radiometric Dating | Dating ancient rocks by measuring the proportion of radioactive isotopes to their decay products |
