2.3 Flashcards
Energy is produced in the annihilation of particles. What does this provide evidence for?
Antimatter
How does beta decay occur?
In beta decay, an up quark changes to a down quark, causing the nucleus to change from a neutron to a proton. This causes the release of an high energy electron, called a beta particle.
What happens to the mass number during beta decay?
will remain unchanged
What happens to the atomic number during beta decay?
will increase by 1
What subatomic particle does beta decay provide evidence for?
the neutrino
What is gamma decay?
a high-energy electromagnetic wave is emitted from the nucleus of an atom in an attempt for it to become more stable
What happens to the mass and atomic number during a gamma decay?
remain unchanged
What is an alpha particle?
a helium nucleus - two protons and two neutrons
What is alpha decay?
an alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus of an atom.
What happens to the mass number during alpha decay?
will decrease by 4
What happens to the atomic number during alpha decay?
will decrease by 2
What is a beta particle?
A fast moving electron
What are gamma waves?
A high-energy wave of the electromagnetic spectrum
What is the charge of a alpha particle?
2+
What is the charge of a beta particle?
1-
What is the charge of gamma waves?
0
What is an isotope?
Atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.
Draw the nuclide notation of a carbon atom with 8 neutrons
atomic mass = 14 (top beside atom)
atomic number = 6
What is relative atomic mass?
the average weighted mass of the isotopes of that element
What is the nuclide notation for an alpha particle?
4
He
2
What is the nuclide notation for a beta particle?
0
e
-1
What is the nuclide notation for a proton?
1
p
1
Write the equation for Uranium emitting an alpha particle
235 231 4
U = Th + He
92 90 2
Write the equation for Carbon 14 emitting a beta particle
14 14 0
C = N + e
6 7 -1
Describe how nuclear fission reactions are used to generate energy
Energy is released when a large unstable nucleus is made to split into smaller nuclei and some neutrons. The neutrons then cause more nuclei to split, releasing more energy and more neutrons. This is a chain reaction.
Give 2 applications of nuclear fission
Energy production
Nuclear bombs
Describe the process of nuclear fusion reactions
Two small nuclei are fused together to form a larger nucleus. This generates energy.
Give an application of nuclear fusion
Energy production
Where does nuclear fusion occur naturally?
Within stars
What important issue must be overcome for us to harness nuclear fusion?
Plasma containment. Magnetic fields must be used to overcome this issue
Break down the equation E = mc^2
E = energy (J)
m = mass (kg)
c = speed of light (ms^-1)
What important conclusion can be made from this equation?
Energy and mass are equivalent
