1.2 Stable and unstable nuclei

Question 1

What is the nuclear force?

Answer 1

» It is the force holding the nuclei together inside the nucleus and overcomes the electrostatic forces of attraction and holds the nucleus together

Question 2

What is 1 femtometre equal to in metres?

Answer 2

» 1 x 10^-15

Question 3

What is the range of the nuclear force?

Answer 3

» About 3 - 4 femtometres

Question 4

What happens to the nuclear force if the distance from the centre increases?

Answer 4

» Decreases

Question 5

What happens to the electrostatic forces of attraction if the distance from the centre increases?

Answer 5

» Also decreases but is stronger than the nuclear force

Question 6

What does an alpha particle consist of?

Answer 6

» Consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons

Question 7

» What happens the the nucleon number if it under goes alpha decay?

Answer 7

» Nucleon number decreases by 4

Question 8

What happens to the atomic number ( Z ) if it undergoes alpha decay?

Answer 8

» Decreases by 2

Question 9

What does beta radiation consist of?

Answer 9

» Fast moving electrons

Question 10

What happens when a nucleus emits beta particles?

Answer 10

» A neutron changes into a proton
» Beta particles are created when the change happens and is emitted

Question 11

What is an antineutrino?

Answer 11

» An antiparticle with no charge called an antineutrino

Question 12

What happens to the nucleon number if it undergoes beta decay?

Answer 12

» Stays the same

Question 13

What happens to the atomic number ( Z ) if it undergoes beta decay?

Answer 13

» Increases by 1 as a neutron is converted into a proton

Question 14

What is the equation of the change of a nucleus when it undergoes beta decay?

Answer 14

» Atomic number increases by 1, a beta particle is released as well as an antiparticle with no charge called an antineutrino is released

Question 15

When is gamma radiation released?

Answer 15

» When electromagnetic radiation is emitted by an unstable nucleus

Question 16

» What are the properties of gamma radiation?

Answer 16

» Has no mass
» Has no charge
» And is released by a nucleus with too much energy following an alpha or beta emission

Question 17

How are the effects of the strong nuclear force different between 2 protons or 2 neutrons?

Answer 17

» No differences it has the same effect between the 2 particles

Question 18

What happens to the electrostatic forces if the distance from the centre increases?

Answer 18

» Electrostatic forces increases as the 2 particles become closer together

Question 19

Which force does not affect a neutron?

Answer 19

» Electrostatic forces

Question 20

Which force has a limited range?

Answer 20

» Strong nuclear force

Question 21

Which force holds the nucleons in a nucleus?

Answer 21

» Strong nuclear force

Question 22

Which force tends to make a nucleus unstable?

Answer 22

» Electrostatic forces

Question 23

What does it mean by the term hypothesis?

Answer 23

» An untested idea or theory

Question 24

What are 2 objects that produce neutrinos?

Answer 24

» The Sun
» A nuclear reactor
» A beta emitting isotope