P.247
nuclear decay
a process that occurs when an unstable atomic nucleus changes into another more stable nucleus by emitting radiation. P.253
ion
an atom that is no longer neutral because it has lost or gained valence electrons. P.254 P.284
radioactive
any element that spontaneously emits radiation. p.252
isotopes
atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons p250
average atomic mass
the average mass of the element's isotopes, weighted according to the abundance of each isotope. p.251
atomic number
the number of protons in an atom of an element. P.249
mass number
the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom P.250