| A | B |
|---|
| strong force | attractive force that acts between protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus |
| radioactivity | process that occurs when a nucleus decays and emits alpha, beta, and gamma radiation |
| alpha particle | particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons that is emitted from a decaying atomic nucleus |
| beta particle | electron that is emitted from a decaying atomic nucleus |
| gamma ray | electromagnetic wave with no mass and no charge that travels at the speed of light and is usually emitted with alpha or beta particles from a decaying atomic nucleus; has a wavelength less than about ten trillionths |
| half-life | amount of time it takes for half the nuclei in a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay |
| nuclear fission | process of splitting an atomic nucleus into two or more nuclei with smaller masses |
| chain reaction | ongoing series of fission reactions |
| nuclear fusion | reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei form a nucleus with a larger mass |
