4.6 Nuclear Decay Flashcards
1
Q
Isotope
A
Are atoms of an element with the same number of protons and electrons, but different numbers of neutrons
2
Q
Ionisation
A
Convert ( an atom molecule or substance ) into an ion or ions, typically by removing one or more electrons
3
Q
Background Radiation
A
The ionising radiation present in the environment
4
Q
Exponential Decay
A
Decay in which the amount falls by a fixed fraction per unit time
5
Q
Activity
A
The number of disintegrations per second in a sample, measured in Bq
6
Q
Decay Constant, lambda
A
Is the fraction of the total number of nuclei present to decay per unit time / second
7
Q
Half- life
A
The time for the number of radioactive nuclei present to decay to half its original value
