3.3 Isotopes and radioactivity

Question 1

What are isotopes?

Answer 1

Isotopes are atoms of the same element which have the ame proton number but a different nucleon number.

Question 2

What is radioactivity?

Answer 2

Radioactivity is the release of energy from the decay of the nuclei of certain kinds of atoms and isotopes

Question 3

What does it mean when an atom is radioactive?

Answer 3

When an atom is radioactive, its nucleus is unstable and sooner or later the atom breaks down naturally or decays, giving out radiation in the form of rays and particles, plus a large amount of energy.

Question 4

What may radiation contain?

Answer 4

Alpha particles
Beta particles
Neutrons
Gamma rays

Question 5

What are alpha particles made up of?

Answer 5

2 protons and 2 neutrons

Question 6

What are beta particles made up of?

Answer 6

electrons moving at high speed

Question 7

What are gamma rays?

Answer 7

high energy rays

Question 8

What is half life?

Answer 8

The half-life is how long it takes for half of the radioisotopes in a sample to decay.

Question 9

What is radiation sickness?

Answer 9

If the radiation from radioisotopes gets into your body, it will kill body cells. A large dose causes radiation sickness.

Question 10

Making use of radioisotopes

Answer 10

To check for leaks, to treat cancer, to kill germs and bacteria, carbon dating.