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IGCSE PHYSICS MATS > 8) Radioactivity > Flashcards

8) Radioactivity Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the mass and charge of a proton?

A

Mass: 1
Charge: 1

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2
Q

What is the mass and charge of a neutron?

A

Mass: 1
Charge: 0

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3
Q

What is the mass and charge of an electron?

A

Mass: 0.0005
Charge: -1

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4
Q

What is the atomic number?

A

Number of protons

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5
Q

What is the mass number?

A

Number of protons + neutrons

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6
Q

What is an isotope?

A

Atoms of the same element, that contain equal numbers of protons, but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei

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7
Q

What is an alpha particle made of?

A

A helium nucleus (2 protons, 2 neutrons)

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8
Q

What is a beta particle made of?

A

A fast moving electron

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9
Q

What is a gamma ray made of?

A

A high energy electromagnetic wave

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10
Q

Which radioactive particle is the most ionising?

A

Alpha

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11
Q

Which radioactive particle is the least ionising?

A

Gamma

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12
Q

Which radioactive particle has the highest penetrating power?

A

Gamma

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13
Q

Which radioactive particle has the least penetrating power?

A

Alpha

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14
Q

Which radioactive particle is stopped by a few cm air or a few mm or paper?

A

Alpha

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15
Q

Which radioactive particle is stopped by a few cm of aluminium?

A

Beta

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16
Q

Which radioactive particle is slowed down by concrete or a few cm of lead?

A

Gamma

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17
Q

What is ionisation?

A

When an electron is knocked off an atom and it is turned into an ion

18
Q

Why are alpha particles the most ionising?

A

Because alpha particles are the most massive they are the most likely to ionise an atom. However, as a result they give up their energy quickly and thus aren’t able to travel very far.

19
Q

Where can background radiation be found?

A

Everywhere

20
Q

What are some examples of background radiation?

A

Radon gas, food, cosmic rays (from the sun), many rocks (eg. uranium)

21
Q

What is a danger of ionisation?

A

Ionisation can cause damage and mutate the cells, this then again can result in cancer

22
Q

What are some measures to reduce exposure?

A

Stay as far away from the source, spend as little time near the source, shield themselves with lead or concrete.

23
Q

What is a use of radioactive materials?

A

Generating electricity, tracers for medical + underground water pipes.

24
Q

What are doses of radiation measured in?

A

Sieverts (Sv)

25
Q

Doses of 4000mSv (4Sv) are likely to be ______

A

fatal

26
Q

Low doses of under __mSv are very unlikely to cause us harm

A

10mSv

27
Q

Doses of ____mSv (_Sv) is unlikely to kill someone, but likely to make them feel unwell.

A

1000mSv (1Sv)

28
Q

1Sv = ____mSv

A

1Sv = 1000mSv

29
Q

Radioactive decay is a _____ process

A

random

30
Q

What is a half-life?

A

The period of time taken for half the number of atoms to decay

31
Q

What is nuclear fission?

A

When a large atomic nucleus (eg. Uranium) splits into two smaller nuclei

32
Q

Which isotope of Uranium is used in generating electricity?

A

Uranium-235 (later uranium 236)

33
Q

What does the term ‘fissile’ mean?

A

Capable of splitting

34
Q

What happens during nuclear fission?

A

A neutron is fired at a Uranium-235 nuclei, turning it into a Uranium-236 nuclei, enabling it to split into two daughter nuclei and 3 single neutrons. These neutrons will travel and hit other uranium-235 nucleus continuously starting a new reaction. This is why this is called a ‘chain reaction’.

35
Q

What does the graphite moderator do?

A

It slows down the Neutrons for them to hit other Uranium-235 nuclei.

36
Q

What do the control rods do?

A

Absorb nuclei, slowing down or stopping the reaction

37
Q

What material are control rods made of?

A

Boron

38
Q

What happens to the temperature inside the nuclear reactor when the control rods are lowered?

A

Temperature will be lower because more neutrons are absorbed by the control rods, meaning less uranium-235 nuclei are hit.

39
Q

What is nuclear fusion?

A

Small nuclei are combined to produce large nuclei.

40
Q

What type of radiation is released during Nuclear Fusion?

A

Gamma

41
Q

What are some of the conditions which are required for nuclear fusion to occur?

A

High temperatures + pressure

IGCSE PHYSICS MATS (7 decks)

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