6.1.2 - Alpha, Beta, Gamma Flashcards
What does it mean if an atom is stable?
It does not break down or decay.
What do the nuclei of an atom that is unstable emit?
Radiation.
What is the name given to particles that emit radiation?
Radioactive.
What type of radiation is alpha?
Particle.
What is the symbol for alpha?
α
What is alpha?
The nucleus of a helium atom.
What is the equation symbol for alpha?
4 He
2
What type of radiation is beta?
Particle.
What is the symbol for beta?
β
What is beta?
A fast-moving electron.
What is the equation symbol for beta?
0 e
-1
What type of radiation is gamma?
Electromagnetic wave.
What is the symbol for gamma?
γ
What is gamma?
A wave of the electromagnetic spectrum.
What is the equation symbol for gamma?
None.
What type of radiation is a neutron?
Particle.
What is the symbol for a neutron?
n.
What is a neutron?
A particle in the nucleus.
What is the equation symbol for a neutron?
1 n
0
In all of the equation symbols, what does the top number mean?
The mass relative to a proton.
In all of the equation symbols, what does the bottom number mean?
The charge.
What is the question posed by the fact that a nucleus does not contain electrons.
Where does the beta particle come from.
Are neutrons stable?
No.
Neutrons are not stable, what can they decay to make?
A proton and an electron.
What do you detect radiation with?
A Geiger counter.
What happens when radiation enters a Geiger counter?
A click.
What is each click of the Geiger counter?
A tiny current produced when the radiation ionises atoms of the gas inside the tube.
What will stop an alpha radiation?
A few sheets of paper or a few cms of air.
What will stop a beta radiation?
A few mms of aluminium.
What will stop gamma radiation?
A few cms of lead or a few ms of concrete.
But some still ay get through.
What is the radiation emitted by radioactive material?
Ionising radiation.
What does ionising radiation mean?
The radiation can remove electrons from atoms to produce positively charged ions.
What is an alpha ionising power?
Range?
Large.
Short.
What is a beta ionising power?
Range?
Medium.
Medium.
What is a gamma ionising power?
Range?
Low.
Long.
What do you have to do to an atom to ionise it?
Transfer energy to it.
