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Physics > 3. Radiation / Nuclear decay > Flashcards

3. Radiation / Nuclear decay Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Rutherfords alpha scattering experiment

A

The first time where scientists found the new atomic diagram / structure of particles

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2
Q

What is an alpha particle

A

A helium nucleus that is highly ionising and cannot penetrate through paper

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3
Q

What is a beta particle

A

Very fast electron that is medium ionising and can be stopped by thin steel

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4
Q

What are gamma particles

A

High energy photons of em radiation that can only be stopped by thick lead

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5
Q

What is background radiation

A

Radiation that occurs naturally from surroundings

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6
Q

Give examples of back ground radiation

A

Cosmic rays
Medical equipment
Radon gas
Food

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7
Q

What is activity

A

The number of decays taken place per second

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8
Q

Units of activity

A

Becerquels (Bq)

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9
Q

What is a Bq

A

A single decay of a nucleus per second

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10
Q

What is half life

A

The amount of time taken for half the radioactive nuclei to decay.
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei to become half

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11
Q

What does it mean by spontaneous

A

When an atom or nucleus decays without any trigger such as heat or light ect… it is unprovoked

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12
Q

Half life equation

A

T½ = ln2 / Y

Y = decay constant

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13
Q

activity equation

A

A = - Y x N

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14
Q

Name two applications of radioactivity

A

Tracers = finding leaks in pipes
Carbon dating
Medical = MRI, radio therapy

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15
Q

what is the difference between irradiation and contamination

A

Irradiation is the process by which an object is exposed to radiation, including radiation from the nuclei of atoms

Contamination is if the object has been introduced to a radioactive material eg on clothing or skin

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16
Q

How is radiation hazardous?

A

Radiation can cause cell mutation and uncontrolled cell growth
It ionizes cells
If exposed to high dosages of radiation then cells can be damaged faster then they are replaced causing radiation sickness and poisoning

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17
Q

Example of misuse of radioactive material

A

Alexander Litvineko - poisoned with polonium isotope 210 which emits alpha radiation causing him to die of radiation sickness

18
Q

definition of nuclear binding energy

A

The energy released when a nucleus forms = the work done in separating a nucleus into atoms

18
Q

Why is radon gas particularly dangerous

A

It is very dense so when released from rocks it settles at lower levels meaning in an area of houses with radon rocks, basements can be filled with radioactive gases unknowingly.
It is highly ionising and can also contaminate water supplies and wells

18
Q

How does gamma radiation interacts with matter

A

The photoelectric effect

19
Q

definition of mass defect

A

the difference in mass from when it is before then after it is formed

20
Q

what is the equation that related energy to mass

A

e = mc^2

21
Q

what is the most stable element

A

iron

22
Q

what is the atomic mass unit

A

1 u = 1.66 x10 ^-27

23
Q

What is the binding energy per nucleon

A

the amount of binding energy / the nucleon number

24
Q

What are the different sides of a MeV- Nucleon number graph

A

to the left of iron = fusion (they are smaller particles needing to be binded together)

to the right of iron = fission (they are larger particles that are separated)

25
Q

What is the differences between fission and fusion?

A

fission: always have neutrons produced , Splits up atoms , generated electricity , has a chain reaction

fusion: joins up atoms, needs to overcome repulsion , uses high pressure and high speeds for the reaction

26
Q

What are the components of a nuclear reactor

A

control rods
coolant
moderator
fuel pods /elements

27
Q

what is the purpose of the control rods

A

used to control the rate of fission to stop the reactor from overheating and causing a core meltdown. they absorb all but one neutron stopping the chain reaction from continuing.

28
Q

How does the release of nucleons lead to a chain reaction

A

The neutrons released will be absorbed by other element nuclei , these will then split producing more neutrons, these will then be absorbed and the process continues

29
Q

what is the conservation of mass energy

A

mass can be converted to energy using einsteins equation so the amount of mass and energy is constant even if there is a change in mass
e=mc^2

30
Q

What things are conserved in a nuclear reaction

A

the nucleon number
the proton number
mass - energy
momentum

31
Q

how do each of the radioactive particles react in a magnetic field?

A

Force in electric field = Eq
Magnetic force = Bvq
Alpha particle = +2e charge = little force = big mass = no deflection
Beta particle = -1e charge = half forces of a = little mass = larger deflection
Gamma particle = no charge = no deflection

32
Q

Why is energy released in reactions on a fission/fusion graph?

A

The energy released comes from the reduction in mass as it is converted into energy
E=mc^2

33
Q

Give a benefit and issue of a nuclear power plant

A

It creates clean energy as no greenhouse gases are released.
However the area could suffer radioactive poisoning if there was a core meltdown.

34
Q

Why are velocitys hard to measure when there is a red shift?

A

The distortion of light waves is less as it is not travelling fast so the increase in detected frequency is very small. This is harder to then detect and measure.

35
Q

How does conservation of energy apply to an elliptical orbit?

A

KE is released as it travels round. The PE increases as the KE increases.
Keplers 2nd Law

36
Q

What is the top number next to an element on the periodic table

A

The mass number = the number of protons and neutrons combined

37
Q

What is the bottom number next to an element on the periodic table

A

The Atomic number so the number of protons or the number of electrons

38
Q

How to derive the decay constant equation:

A

Use t = T1/2 and N/N0 = 1/2
N/N0 = e^-Yt
Substitute in values

Physics (16 decks)

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