Definiton of Terms

There are certain terms mentioned in the world of physics... the ones listed below are the ones defined and discussed so far... Here they are:

ISOTOPES
-atoms of the same element having the same atomic number(#of protons) but differs in the mass number (differences in the number of neutrons in the nucleus)

RADIATION
-Radiation as used in physics, is energy in the form of waves or moving subatomic particles. Radiation can be ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, depending on its effect on atomic matter. The most common use of the word "radiation" refers to ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules while non-ionizing radiation does not. Radioactive material is a physical material that emits ionizing radiation.

ALPHA RAYS
- a type of radiation occuring in the nature of helium ions. Has 2 neutrons and 2 protons. Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus) and transforms (or 'decays') into an atom with a mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less. For example:


BETA RAYS
- simply defined as fast-moving "electrons". In nuclear physics, beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. In the case of electron emission, it is referred to as "beta minus" (β−), while in the case of a positron emission as "beta plus" (β+).

In β− decay, the weak interaction converts a neutron (n0) into a proton (p+) while emitting an electron (e−) and an anti-neutrino ():


GAMMA RAYS
- Gamma rays or gamma-ray (denoted as γ) are forms of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or light emissions of a specific frequency produced from sub-atomic particle interaction, such as electron-positron annihilation and radioactive decay; most are generated from nuclear reactions occurring within the interstellar medium of space.

Gamma rays are generally characterized as EMR, having the highest frequency and energy, and also the shortest wavelength, within the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, i.e. high energy photons. Due to their high energy content, they are able to cause serious damage when absorbed by living cells.

NUCLEAR REACTION
- a process in which two nuclei or nuclear particle collid to produce products different from the inital particles.

NUCLEAR FUSION
- joining of multiple atomic particles to form a heavier nucleus. Accompanied b either release or absorption of energy.

NUCLEAR FISSION
- splitting of atoms of the nucleus of an atom into parts producing photons, electrons and particles as by-products...

BINDING ENERGY
- mechanical energy required to disassemble a whole nuclei into parts

NUCLEAR TRANSFORMATION
- transformation of an isotope to another isotope within the same element...

so,, that's all for now... just passin by...