Alpha, Beta, and Gamma.

Question 1

why does the nucleus of an unstable isotope emit radiations?

Answer 1

to transform to a more stable nucleus.

Question 2

is the new stable nucleus the same element? explain your answer.

Answer 2

No, because the atomic number changes.

Question 3

what is the process of emitting radiation called?

Answer 3

radioactive decay.

Question 4

what is the process of radioactive decay described as?

Answer 4

spontaneous and random.

Question 5

why is it described as spontaneous and random?

Answer 5

• Spontaneous: it is normal and does not need any external help.
• Random: you can’t predict which unstable atom will decay first or decay next, also its rate is not constant.

Question 6

what are the 3 types of radiations?

Answer 6

Alpha particles, Beta particles, Gamma rays.

Question 7

Alpha particles

Answer 7

atomic number=2, mass number=4. nucleus of helium-4.

Question 8

Beta particles

Answer 8

high speed electron emitted from the nucleus.

changes the atomic number by (-1).

Question 9

Gamma rays

Answer 9

high energy (short wavelength) electromagnetic radiation.

Question 10

consists of?

Answer 10

Alpha: 2 protons +2 neutrons
Beta: An electron
Gamma: electromagnetic radiation

Question 11

Ionization Power of each. and why?

Answer 11

Alpha: Very strong. alpha particles are heavy af.
Beta: weak. beta particles are light af.
Gamma: weak af almost 0. gamma rays got strong af penetration power.

Question 12

penetration power of each.

Answer 12

Alpha: very weak
Beta: Moderate
Gamma: VERY high

Question 13

how do we stop each radiation?

Answer 13

Alpha: stopped by paper.
Beta: stopped by a few mm of aluminum
Gamma: Thick lead, concrete, and steel.

Question 14

range in air?

Answer 14

Alpha: about 6cm
Beta: about 100cm
Gamma: longer than 100m

Question 15

charge of each radiation?

Answer 15

Alpha: (+2)
Beta: (-1)
Gama: (no charge)

Question 16

mass of each radiation?

Answer 16

Alpha: 4 times the proton mass
Beta: (1/1840) The proton mass
Gama: (0)

Question 17

ionization power

Answer 17

when radiations like alpha, beta, or gamma cause a molecule or atom to lose electrons.

Question 18

why do alpha particles have high ionization power?

Answer 18

1. Heavy af
2. slow af
   3: big charge (+2)

Question 19

Nuclear Equation rule.

Answer 19

The sum of atomic numbers and mass numbers must be equal on both sides.

Question 20

Detectors

Answer 20

devices used to detect radiation.

Question 21

what are the 3 most used detectors?

Answer 21

1. Photograghic plate.
2. cload camper.
3. Geiger-Muller Detector (G-M detector)

Question 22

Background Radiation

Answer 22

The natural radiation that exists with no radioactive source present.

Question 23

what are 3 causes of background radiations?

Answer 23

1. Rocks and Earth.
2. Gases in air.
3. The Sun

Question 24

How to get the pure reading of the radiation?

Answer 24

• Get the reading of background radiation first.
• Then get the reading of the source (with the background radiation)
• Pure reading=source reading-background reading.

Question 25

Radiation Unit

Answer 25

count/min or Becquerel

Question 26

Deflection with electric fields of each radiation?

Answer 26

Alpha: Slightly deflected by electric fields.
Beta: Strongly deflected by electric fields.
Gama: Not deflected by electric fields.