NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY

2. A reaction in which the material that starts the reaction is also one of the products and can start another reaction.
3. The spontaneous disintegration of a nucleus into a slightly lighter nucleus accompanied by the emission of radiation.
4. Light-mass nuclei combine to form a heavier, more stable nucleus.
5. The minimum amount of nuclide that provides the number of neutrons needed to sustain a chain reaction.
8. The range of neutron-proton ratios over which stable nuclei cluster.
10. Unit used to measure nuclear radiation exposure or dose.
12. An electron emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay.
14. Uses controlled fission chain reactions to produce energy or radioactive nuclides.
15. The time required for half the atoms of a radioactive nuclide to decay.
16. Radiation-absorbing material that is used to decrease exposure to radiation in nuclear reactors.
18. How an atom is referred to in nuclear chemistry.
19. Neutron-absorbing rods that help control the reaction by limiting the number of free neutrons.
20. Used to slow down the fast neutrons produced in fission.

1. A reaction that affects the nucleus of an atom.
6. 2 protons and 2 neutrons emitted from the nucleus during decay.
7. The difference between the mass of an atom and the sum of the masses of its protons, neutrons, and electrons.
9. The protons and neutrons of an atom collectively.
11. A very heavy nucleus splits into more stable nuclei of intermediate mass.
13. A change in the identity of a nucleus as a result of a change in the number of its protons.
17. Uses heat from nuclear reactors to produce electrical energy.