Radioactive Decay Flashcards
What is an example of an unstable nucleus in our body?
C14
What is an alpha particle?
A helium nucleus
What happens when a nucleus emits an alpha particle?
It’s mass number decrease by 4 and atomic mass by 2
What is a beta particle?
A fast moving electron which is emitted from the nucleus
What happens when atom goes through beta decay?
1 of the neutrons turns into a Proton and a beta particle is emitted.
Atomic number increase by 1
How do you represent a beta particle in a formula?
0 e
-1
What are gamma rays?
Short-wavelength, high-frequency electromagnetic waves
When does gamma decay happen?
When a nucleus is in a excited state (high energy state)
What happens when an excited nucleus emits a gamma ray?
It moves to a lower energy state
What happens when a nucleus emits a gamma ray (Atomic and mass numbers)
They don’t change
What is needed to stop each radiation?
Alpha=thin paper
Beta=5cm thick aluminium
Gamma=thick sheet of lead
What is a GM tube and what is the measurement?
A radiation detector
Radiation in counts per second
How much can radioactive particle travel in air?
Alpha=5cm
Beta=10cm-few meters
Gamma=extremely long range
What is neutron decay?
The emission of a neutron from an unstable nucleus
What happens when the nucleus emits a neutron?
Mass decrease by 1
