Radioactivity Crossword Puzzle

QUESTIONS LIST:

• radioactivity : occurs when the nucleus of an unstable atom breaks down in a process called radioactive decay
• alpha particle : positively charged, more massive than any other type of nuclear radiation, and made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
• alpha decay : results in a new element with an atomic number less than 2 and a mass number less than 4 from the original element
• beta particle : fast moving negative electrons or positive positrons
• beta decay : will result in the atomic number increasing by 1 from the original value and the mass number staying the same
• gamma ray : a form of electromagnetic energy
• gamma decay : does not change the mass number or atomic number of an atom
• transmutation : the changing of one element into another by radioactive decay, nuclear bombardment, or similar processes
• half life : the time it takes for one half of a sample of radioactive material to decay
• decay curve : a graph of the number of radioactive parent nuclei remaining in a sample as a function of time
• fission : the process by which a nucleus splits into two or more fragments and releases neutrons and energy
• fusion : the process in which light nuclei combine at extremely high temperatures, forming heavier nuclei and releasing energy