radioactivity
Unstable atoms' output
Radioactivity is the emission of energy from unstable atomic nuclei as they decay into more stable forms.
This process releases radiation—alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays.
Some elements are naturally radioactive; others become so through bombardment.
Radioactivity has applications in medicine, energy production, and weapons: The radioactivity from the reactor leak contaminated the surrounding area.
The adjective is radioactive.
Period for fifty-percent reduction
- alphaFirst Greek letter
- betaGreek alphabet's second letter
- gammaGreek alphabet's third
- transmutationComplete change of form
isotope · disintegration · emission · particle · unstable · daughter · parent · series
Introduction of impurities
- exposureState of being unprotected
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- cancerUncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
carcinogen · shielding · lead apron · protective gear · decontamination · exclusion zone · Chernobyl · Fukushima
Element ninety-two
- plutoniumActinide, atomic number 94
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- fusionJoining into unity
- reactorControlled fission apparatus
chain reaction · critical mass · neutron · enrichment · fuel rod · control rod · moderator · coolant
Radioactive isotope for dating
- uranium-leadIsotopic age-determination method
- potassium-argonIsotopic age-determination technique
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
paleontology · fossil · rock · stratigraphy · age · antiquity · artifact · thermoluminescence
Imaging-based diagnostic medicine
- tracerPath-marking projectile
- nuclear medicineHealthcare using radioactive materials
- imagingProducing visual representations
- PET scanRadiotracer-based internal imaging
iodine-131 · technetium-99m · cobalt-60 · brachytherapy · oncology · tumor · diagnosis · treatment
Exposure measurement device
- curieUnit of radioactive decay
- roentgenRadiation exposure unit
- grayNeutral achromatic hue
- radExposure measurement unit
rem · detection · monitor · spectroscopy · calibration · background · exposure · dose
Ionizing emission from decay
- beta particleEmitted electron or positron
- gamma rayHigh-energy nuclear emission
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- atomicOf elemental particles
quantum · emission · absorption · energy · spectrum · neutrino · positron · nuclear force
half-life
Period for fifty-percent reduction
transmutation · isotope · disintegration · emission · particle · unstable · daughter · parent · series · chain
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- exposureState of being unprotected
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- cancerUncontrolled cell proliferation disease
mutation · carcinogen · shielding · lead apron · protective gear · decontamination · exclusion zone · Chernobyl · Fukushima · nuclear waste
uranium
Element ninety-two
reactor · chain reaction · critical mass · neutron · enrichment · fuel rod · control rod · moderator · coolant · meltdown
carbon-14
Radioactive isotope for dating
- uranium-leadIsotopic age-determination method
- potassium-argonIsotopic age-determination technique
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
archaeology · paleontology · fossil · rock · stratigraphy · age · antiquity · artifact · thermoluminescence · radiometric
radiology
Imaging-based diagnostic medicine
- tracerPath-marking projectile
- nuclear medicineHealthcare using radioactive materials
- imagingProducing visual representations
PET scan · iodine-131 · technetium-99m · cobalt-60 · brachytherapy · oncology · tumor · diagnosis · treatment · radiopharmaceutical
dosimeter
Exposure measurement device
rad · rem · detection · monitor · spectroscopy · calibration · background · exposure · dose
alpha particle
Ionizing emission from decay
- beta particleEmitted electron or positron
- gamma rayHigh-energy nuclear emission
- nucleusCentral controlling part
atomic · quantum · emission · absorption · energy · spectrum · neutrino · positron · nuclear force · tunneling
- physicsphysics, momentum, atom, acceleration, gravity
- sciencebiology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology
- Physical Sciencesphysics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, meteorology
- discoveriesbreakthrough, scientific discovery, finding, uncovering, detection
- atomic physicsatom, atoms, atomic nucleus, electron, atomic number
- Science Historyscientific revolution, natural philosophy, scientific method, scientific journals, Royal Society
radioactivitystability
Resistance to displacement
permanence · constancy · immutability · durability · unchangingness