4: Atomic Structure Flashcards

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1
Q

Activity:

A

The rate at which an unstable nucleus decays.

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2
Q

Alpha Particle:

A

A positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons.

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3
Q

Atomic Number:

A

The number of protons found in an atom of a specific element. Each element has a different atomic number.

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4
Q

Background Radiation:

A

Radiation that is found in small quantities all around us and originates from natural sources such as rocks and cosmic rays, as well as from man-made sources such as nuclear weapons testing and accidents.

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5
Q

Becquerel:

A

The unit of radioactive activity.

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6
Q

Beta Particle:

A

A high speed electron that a nucleus emits when a neutron converts into a
proton.

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7
Q

Bohr Model:

A

A model of the atom that suggested that electrons orbit the nucleus at set
distances.

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8
Q

Chain Reaction:

A

The process of neutrons released by a fission reaction, being absorbed by another unstable, large nuclei, and inducing further fission.

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9
Q

Count-Rate:

A

The number of decays that a detector measures per second.

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10
Q

Electrons:

A

A negatively charged constituent of the atom, that are found in different energy levels, around the nucleus.

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11
Q

Energy Levels: (and how electrons can transition between them)

A

The stable states in which electrons are found in around a nucleus. Electrons can transition to a higher energy level through the absorption of electromagnetic radiation and can transition to a lower energy level through the emission of electromagnetic
radiation.

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12
Q

Fission Products:

A

Fission produces two smaller nuclei, two or three neutrons and gamma rays. All these products are released with kinetic energy.

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13
Q

Gamma Ray:

A

Electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus.

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14
Q

Geiger-Muller Tube:

A

A detector that measures the count-rate of a radioactive sample.

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15
Q

Half-Life:

A

The time it takes for the number of unstable nuclei of an isotope in a sample to
halve, or the time it takes for the initial count rate of a sample of the isotope to halve.

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16
Q

Ions:

A

Atoms with a resultant charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.

17
Q

Irradiation:

A

The process of an object being exposed to nuclear radiation. The object doesn’t become radioactive.

18
Q

Isotopes:

A

Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The atomic number is the same, but the mass number is different.

19
Q

Mass Number:

A

The number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

20
Q

Negative Ions:

A

Atoms that gained electrons and so have a resultant negative charge.

21
Q

Neutrons:

A

A neutrally charged constituent of the nucleus.

22
Q

Nuclear Explosions:

A

Nuclear explosions in nuclear weapons are caused by an
uncontrolled chain reaction which results in vast quantities of energy being produced in a very small period of time.

23
Q

Nuclear Fission:

A

The splitting of a large and unstable nucleus into two smaller and more stable nuclei to produce energy.

24
Q

Nuclear Fusion:

A

The joining of two small, light nuclei to form a larger, heavier one and release energy.

25
Q

Nucleus:

A

The positively charged centre of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

26
Q

Plum Pudding Model:

A

An old model of the atom that represented the atom as a ball of positive charge, with negative charges distributed throughout it.

27
Q

Positive Ions:

A

Atoms that have lost electrons and so have a resultant positive charge.

28
Q

Protons:

A

A positively charged constituent of the nucleus.

29
Q

Radioactive Contamination:

A

The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on other
materials. It is hazardous due to the decay of the contaminating atoms.

30
Q

Radioactive Decay:

A

The random process involving unstable nuclei emitting radiation to
become more stable.

31
Q

Sieverts:

A

The unit used for radiation dosage.

32
Q

Spontaneous Fission:

A

Fission that occurs without the absorption of a neutron.
Spontaneous fission is rare and in most cases, fission is induced with a neutron.