Atomic structure Flashcards

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1
Q

What happens in nuclear fission?

A

The nucleus splits

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2
Q

Describe the process of nuclear fission
(Long answer question)

A

1.The unstable nucleus absorbs a neutron.
2. This causes the nucleus to split ( undergo fission).
3. When the nucleus splits, it forms two smaller nuclei equal in size. It also releases two or three neutrons and gamma radiation.
4. This process causes the neutrons to be absorbed and trigger fission again.
5. The repeating process of fission is named a chain reaction.

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3
Q

When is a controlled chain reaction used

A

In a nuclear reactor when releasing energy

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4
Q

What is nuclear fusion

A

To light nuclei are joined to form a heavier nucleus

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5
Q

What can the mass of the nucleus be converted into

A

Energy which is released as radiation

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6
Q

What radius do atoms have

A

1x10^-10 m

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7
Q

Do energy levels further from the nucleus have higher or lower energy than those close to the nucleus

A

Energy levels further from the nucleus are at a high energy

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8
Q

What happens if an atom absorbs electromagnetic radiation

A

An electron can move to a higher energy level

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9
Q

What are isotopes

A

The same element but with different numbers of neutrons

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10
Q

If an isotope has an unstable nucleus what must it do to become stable

A

Give out radiation

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11
Q

What processes giving out radiation

A

Radioactive decay

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12
Q

What is activity?

A

Rate of nuclei decay.

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13
Q

What’s the rate of nuclei decay measured in

A

Bequerel (Bq)

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14
Q

What is Count rate

A

The number of decays each second by a detector

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15
Q

Give an example of a detector

A

Geiger- Muller tube

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16
Q

What are alpha particles

A

Two neutrons and two electrons

17
Q

What type of nucleus does an alpha particle have

A

A helium nucleus

18
Q

What is a beta particle

A

A high speed electron

19
Q

What is gamma radiation

A

Rays of electromagnetic radiation

20
Q

What are the properties of alpha

A

5cm range in air
Penetrated by paper
Very strong ionising power

21
Q

What are the properties of beta

A

15 cm range in air
Penetrated by a few millimetres of aluminium
Quite strong ionising power

22
Q

What are the properties of gamma

A

Several meters range in air
Penetrated of several centimetres of lead
Weak ionising power

23
Q

What happens during alpha decay

A

The atomic number decreases by 2
Mass number decreases by 4

24
Q

What happens during beta decay

A

Atomic number increases by 1

25
Q

What can gamma be used to do

A

Detect tumours and if the thyroid gland is working healthily