4th - Radioactive Decay Flashcards
Which is the atomic number and the mass number
Mass on top
Atomic below
Relative charge and mass of proton
+1
1
Relative charge and mass of neutron
0
1
Relative charge and mass of electron
-1
1/ 1835
What does atomic number represent
Number of protons
What does mass number represent
Number of protons and neutrons
How to calculate number of neutrons
Mass number - atomic number
What are isotopes
Atom of the same element with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons
What is alpha radiation
Helium nucleus ( 2 protons and 2 neutrons) emitted from the nucleus
What is beta radiation
Fast moving Electron emitted from a nucleus
What is gamma radiation
High energy electromagnetic wave
What is radioactive decay
Process of ejecting radiation
What is an alpha particle the same as
A helium nucleus
2 protons and 2 neutrons
What effect does alpha radiation have on the atomic and mass numbers
Mass -4
Atomic -2
+ He
with 4 mass and 2 atomic
What effect does beta radiation have on the atomic and mass numbers
Mass stays the same
Atomic +1
+ Beta particle
With 0 mass and -1 atomic
How ionising is alpha radiation
Very ionising
What penetration does alpha have? What is it stopped by?
Low penetration
Stopped by paper
How ionising is beta radiation
Moderately ionising
What penetration is beta? What is stopped by?
Moderate penetration
Stopped by aluminum
How ionising is gamma radiation
Not very ionising
How penetrating is gamma? What is it stopped by?
Very penetrating
Stopped by lead or thick concrete
Radioactive decay is …..
Random and spontaneous
Examples of background radiation
Cosmic rays
Rocks - give off radon gas
Medical
Food and drink
Nuclear power
What is important to remember about background radiation when making accurate measurements
To subtract the background radiation from our recorded radiation
