1.2 - Stable And Unstable Nuclei Flashcards
What does an isotope have that makes it stable
A nucleus that doesn’t disintegrate
What is the strong force that holds the proton and the neutrons together
The strong nuclear force because it overcomes the electrostatic force of repulsion between the protons in the nucleus
What is the range of strong nuclear force
3-4 femtometers (fm)
The range of the diameter of a small nucleus
What does 1 Fm =
10^-15
What’s the range of an electrostatic force between 2 particles
Infinite although it decreases as the range increases
What is the strong nuclear force the same between
2 protons
2 neutrons
A proton or a neutron
When is the strong nuclear force attractive
From 3-4 fm down to 0.5 fm
When is the strong nuclear force repulsive
At separations smaller than 0.5 fm to prevent neutrons and protons being pushed into eachother
What is alpha radiation
Alpha particles which compromise of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
What does beta radiation consist of
Fast moving electrons
What causes beta radiation to happen
A neutron changes into a proton in the nucleus and a electron is released
What anti particle with no charge is released at the same time as the electron
Antineutrino
What does beta radiation not usually happen to
Nuclei that have too many neutrons
Facts about Gamma radiation
- electromagnetic radiation emitted by an unstable particle
- can pass through thick metal plates
- has no mass and no charge
- emitted by a nucleus with too much energy following alpha or beta emission
what was found when the energy spectrum of the beta particle was measured
beta particles were released with kinetic energies up to a maximum that depended on the isotope
