6.9 quantum physics

Question 1

define photon

Answer 1

a photon is a discrete packet of energy of electromagnetic radiation

Question 2

define binding energy

Answer 2

binding energy is the minimum energy required to completely separate the nucleons from inside the nucleus to infinity OR binding energy is the energy released when nucleons come together to form the nucleus from infinity

Question 3

define radioactive decay of an unstable nucleus

Answer 3

radioactive decay of an unstable nucleus is the emission of alpha, beta and/or gamma ray photons, with the release of energy and formation of a more stable nucleus

Question 4

what does it mean that radioactive decay is spontaneous?

Answer 4

decay occurs without any external stimuli such as changes in temperature and pressure

Question 5

what does it mean that radioactive decay is random?

Answer 5

each radioactive nuclide has a constant probability of decaying per unit time. there is no knowing which nucleus will decay or when it will decay

Question 6

define half-life of a nuclide

Answer 6

the time taken for half the original number of radioactive nuclide N in a sample to decay on average

Question 7

define activity of a radioactive sample

Answer 7

activity is the number of decays per unit time

Question 8

define decay constant of a radioactive nuclide

Answer 8

the probability of decay of a nucleus per unit time