Nucleus
Definition
The nucleus is at the center of an atom consisting mainly of protons and neutrons. It carries most of an atom's mass but occupies only a tiny space compared to the total size of the atom.
Related terms
Atomic Number: The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the chemical properties of an element and its place in the periodic table.
Nucleons: Protons and neutrons collectively are known as nucleons.
Radioactive Decay: A process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation. It can involve the release of alpha or beta particles from the nucleus.
"Nucleus" appears in:
Subjects (3)
AP Biology
AP Physics 2
Anatomy & Physiology
Study guides (2)
AP Chemistry - 1.1 Moles and Molar Mass
AP Chemistry - 1.6 Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Practice Questions (1)
How does the ionization energy relate to the distance of the nucleus on a PES graph?
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CCPA Privacy Policy
Resources
Cram Mode
AP Score Calculators
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Glossary
Cram Events
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Crisis Text Line
Help Center
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.