Key Concepts

Key Concepts

1. Radioactivity

   • The spontaneous emission of particles or energy (radiation) from unstable atomic nuclei.
     • Uranium-238 decaying to Thorium-234.

2. Isotopes

   • Variants of elements with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
     • Carbon-12 vs. Carbon-14.

3. Nuclear Fission

   • Splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy.
   • Uranium-235 in nuclear reactors.

4. Nuclear Fusion

   • Combining lighter nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.
   • Hydrogen fusion in the sun.