IB Physics Sub-topic E3 Definitions

This page contains our IB Physics definitions for sub-topic E3. By learning each one of these definitions, you will fully cover the content for IB Physics 'Radioactive decay'.
Antiparticles

This particle has the same mass as a normal particle but opposite charge and quantum number

Background radiation

It is the daily radiation one can be exposed to

Binding energy per nucleon

It is the ratio of nuclear binding energy to number of nucleons in a nucleus

Fission

It is the splitting of a large nucleus into two smaller nuclei, releasing energy

Fusion

It is the joining of two nuclei to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy

Half-life

It is the amount of time for half of the atoms to decay

Ionizing radiation

It is radiation that it removes electrons from exposed matter

Ions

These are nuclides that have lost or gained electrons, gaining a positive or negative charge

Isotopes

These are nuclides with different numbers of neutrons, and thus different mass numbers

Mass defect

It is the difference in the mass of a nucleus and the sum of its constituent masses

Nuclear binding energy

It is the energy released by the production of a nucleus from its constituent nucleons

Nucleon

It is a particle in the nucleus

Nuclides

These are atoms of one element

Radiation

It is the emission of electromagnetic waves from an atom by electrons

Radioactive decay

It is the process of decomposition of unstable nuclei into lighter nuclei and emission of radiation

Radioactivity

It is the number of decays occurring per second

Unified atomic mass unit

It is defined as one twelfth the mass of a Carbon-12 atom

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