| A | B |
|---|
| Name | Definition |
| Alpha Radiation | Positive radiation stopped by skin and paper (Helium-4 nucleus) |
| Amplitude | Height of a wave, determines intensity |
| Background Radiation | Daily dose of radiation received from the environment and processes |
| Beta Radiation | Negative radiation stopped by metal foil (electron) |
| Carbon Dating | Determining the age of very old organic materials by beta emission half-life |
| Chain Reaction | A reaction that causes another reaction and so on |
| Colors | Light photons of specific wavelengths (R.O.Y.G.B.V) |
| Control Rods | Rods that absorb neutrons, stopping or slowing a fission reaction |
| Electromagnetic Radiation | Radiation from all objects (normally harmless) |
| Electromagnetic Spectrum | Shows the range of electromagnetic radiation |
| Experiment (Gold-Foil) | Rutherford: atoms were mostly empty space with a dense positive core |
| Experiment (Lead-Box) | Rutherford: three kinds of radiation based on charge (alpha, beta, gamma) |
| Frequency | Rate at which a wave goes up and down (Hertz or 1/sec) |
| Fuel Rods | Rods providing the nuclear material for fission (normally U or Th) |
| Gamma Radiation | Most used form of radiation by humans, no charge and stopped by lead |
| Gamma Rays | Electromagnetic radiation of a very high energy and frequency |
| Half-Life | Amount of time for a radioactive material to lose half of it emissions |
| Infrared | Bigger waves than Red light, often emitted during heating |
| Light (Visible) | Electromagnetic radiation of a very high energy and frequency |
| Microwaves | Electromagnetic waves longer than infrared used in radar and cooking |
| Moderator | Controls neutron flow and reaction rate of a nuclear reactor |
| Neutron Radiation | Radiation without charge used in nuclear power (fission or fusion) |
| Nuclear Bombardment | Nuclei colliding, often shattering or combining while releasing energy |
| Nuclear Fission | Large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei and lots of energy |
| Nuclear Fusion | Small nuclei combining into a larger nucleus and lots of energy |
| Nuclear Radiation | Energy emitted from an unstable nucleus |
| Nuclear Reaction | Reaction involving Protons and Neutrons of atoms |
| Photon | Bundle of light energy of a specific wavelength |
| Radiation | Energy emitted from an object or process |
| Radio Waves | Electromagnetic waves of a very high wavelength used in communication |
| Radioactive Decay | Natural emission of nuclear particles and energy |
| Radioisotope | A radioactive isotope (with an unstable nucleus) |
| Spectroscopy | Identifying elements based on light waves (from excited electrons) |
| Ultraviolet | Smaller waves than Violet light, but not as much as x-rays |
| Wavelength | Length of a wave (inverse relation to energy and frequency) |
| X-Rays | Really short waves of high energy able to penetrate many opaque objects |
| Ionizing Radiation | Dangerous radiation (normally nuclear) that can form ions |
| Non-ionizing radiation | Less damgerous radiation that does not form ions |
