| A | B |
|---|
| alloy | a substance made of two or more elements, at aleast one of which is a metal, that has the properties of metal |
| alpha particle | a type of nuclear reaction consisting of two protons and two nuetrons |
| beta particle | an electron that is given off by a nucleus during radioactive decay |
| ceramics | a hard crystalline solid made by heating clay and other mineral materials to high temperatures |
| composite | a combination of two or more substances that creates a new material |
| gamma radiation | a type of nuclear radiation made of high-energy waves |
| glass | a clear solid material with no crystal structure, created by heating sand to a very high temperature |
| half-life | the time it takes for half of the atoms of a radioactive isotope sample to decay |
| isotope | an atom with the same number of protons and a different number of neutrons from other atoms of the same element |
| mass number | the sum of the protons and neurons in the nucleus of an atom |
| monomer | small, carbon-based molecules that make-up the links in a polymer |
| nuclear radiation | particles and energy produced during radioactive decay |
| nuclear reaction | a reaction involving the particles in the nucleus of an atom that can change one element into another element |
| radioactive decay | the breakdown of the nucleus of a radioactive element,releasing particles and energy |
| radioactive dating | the process of determining the age of an object using the half-life of one or more radioactive isotopes |
| optical fiber | a long,thin strand of glass or plastic that can carry light for long distances without allowing the light to fade out; can be used for transmitting messages |
| organic compound | most compounds that contain carbon |
| plastic | a synthetic polymer that can be molded or shaped |
| polymer | a large,complex molecule built from smaller molecules bonded together |
| radiation therapy | a process in which radioactive elements are used to destroy unhealthy cells |
| tracer | a rdioactive isotope that can be followed through the steps of a chemical reaction or industrial process |
