Alpha, Beta, Gamma Flashcards
What type of radiation is composed of two protons and two neutrons?
Alpha radiation
Which type of radiation can be stopped by paper?
Alpha radiation
What is the charge of an alpha particle?
Positive charge
Which type of radiation is made up of high-energy electrons?
Beta radiation
True or False: Beta particles can penetrate paper but are stopped by aluminum.
True
What is the charge of a beta particle?
Negative charge
Fill in the blank: Gamma radiation is a form of __________ energy.
Electromagnetic
Which type of radiation is the most penetrating?
Gamma radiation
True or False: Gamma radiation has mass.
False
What is radioactivity?
The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation.
What is a half-life?
The time taken for half the atoms in a radioactive substance to decay.
If a sample has a half-life of 5 years, how much of a 100g sample remains after 15 years?
12.5g
True or False: After one half-life, 75% of the original radioactive substance remains.
False
What does the term ‘nuclear decay’ refer to?
The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation.
Which particle is emitted during alpha decay?
Alpha particle
What is the result of beta decay?
A neutron is converted into a proton, emitting a beta particle.
Fill in the blank: Gamma rays are emitted during __________ changes in the nucleus.
Energy
What is the effect of radiation on living tissue?
It can cause damage to cells and DNA.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of radiation? A) Alpha B) Beta C) Delta D) Gamma
C) Delta
What is the main use of gamma radiation in medicine?
To kill cancer cells.
True or False: Alpha particles travel faster than beta particles.
False
What is a common application of beta radiation?
Used in smoke detectors.
Fill in the blank: The decay of a radioactive isotope is __________.
Random
What is the main safety concern with radiation exposure?
Increased risk of cancer.
True or False: All radioactive materials emit gamma radiation.
True
What is the unit of measurement for radioactivity?
Becquerel (Bq)
What does the term ‘radiocarbon dating’ refer to?
A method used to determine the age of organic materials using carbon-14.
Fill in the blank: The process of __________ involves using radiation to sterilize medical equipment.
Radiation
What is the principle behind a Geiger counter?
It detects ionizing radiation.
Which type of particle is emitted during positron emission?
Positron
What happens to the atomic number of an element when it undergoes alpha decay?
It decreases by 2.
True or False: Radioactive decay rates are influenced by external conditions.
False
What is the purpose of a radiation shield?
To protect against harmful effects of radiation.
What type of radiation is used in PET scans?
Positron emission
Fill in the blank: __________ is the term for the time taken for a radioactive substance to decay to half its initial amount.
Half-life
What is the main difference between fission and fusion?
Fission splits nuclei; fusion combines them.
What is the significance of the decay constant?
It describes the probability of decay per unit time.
True or False: All isotopes of an element are radioactive.
False
What is a decay chain?
A series of decays that a radioactive isotope undergoes until a stable isotope is formed.
