Biomaterial Database

Radiation characteristics of plutonium-238. LA-3696. 1966

G M Matlack, and C F Metz

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009502	Neutrons	Electrically neutral elementary particles found in all atomic nuclei except light hydrogen; the mass is equal to that of the proton and electron combined and they are unstable when isolated from the nucleus, undergoing beta decay. Slow, thermal, epithermal, and fast neutrons refer to the energy levels with which the neutrons are ejected from heavier nuclei during their decay.	Neutron
D011005	Plutonium	A naturally radioactive element of the actinide metals series. It has the atomic symbol Pu, and atomic number 94. Plutonium is used as a nuclear fuel, to produce radioisotopes for research, in radionuclide batteries for pacemakers, and as the agent of fission in nuclear weapons.
D011851	Radioactivity	The spontaneous transformation of a nuclide into one or more different nuclides, accompanied by either the emission of particles from the nucleus, nuclear capture or ejection of orbital electrons, or fission. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Nuclear Decay,Radioactive Disintegration,Decay, Nuclear,Disintegration, Radioactive,Disintegrations, Radioactive,Radioactive Disintegrations,Radioactivities
D000512	Alpha Particles	Positively charged particles composed of two protons and two NEUTRONS, i.e. equivalent to HELIUM nuclei, which are emitted during disintegration of heavy ISOTOPES. Alpha rays have very strong ionizing power, but weak penetrability.	Alpha Rays,Alpha Radiation,Radiation, Alpha,Alpha Particle,Alpha Ray,Particle, Alpha,Particles, Alpha,Ray, Alpha,Rays, Alpha