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Physics > Atomic structure > Flashcards

Atomic structure Flashcards

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1
Q

What are isotopes

A

Atoms of an element that have a different number of electrons to usual

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2
Q

What do radioactive substances give out when they decay

A

Alpha, beta or gamma radiation and can give off neutrons too

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3
Q

What are alpha particles

A

Helium nuclei

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4
Q

What is alpha radiation used in

A

Smoke detectors
Ionises air particles which causes a current to flow. If there is smoke in the air it binds to the ions - meaning that the current stops and the alarm sounds

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5
Q

What is a beta particle

A

An electron

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6
Q

What are beta particles used for

A

Test the thickness of sheet of metal as the thickness affects the amount of radiation passing through the sheet

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7
Q

What are gamma rays

A

Waves of electromagnetic radiation (0.0)

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8
Q

What are gamma rays used for

A

To sterilise medical equipment

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9
Q

What is radioactivity as a process

A

Completely random

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10
Q

What can radiation be measured with

A

Geiger-Muller tube and counter

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11
Q

What is activity measured in

A

Becquerels

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12
Q

What is the half-time

A

The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in an isotope to halve

OR

The time taken for the count-rate to half

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13
Q

What is background radiation

A

The low-level radiation that is around us all of the time

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14
Q

Where does background radiation come from

A

Naturally occurring unstable isotopes which are all around us (eg rocks and food)

Space - cosmic rays which come mainly from the sun

Human activity (eg fallout from nuclear explosions)

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15
Q

What is exposure to radiation called

A

Irradiation

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16
Q

What is contamination

A

When radioactive atoms get into/onto an object

17
Q

Which types of radiation are most dangerous outside the body

A

Beta and gamma

18
Q

Which types are most dangerous inside the body

A

Alpha as they are the most ionising

19
Q

What is radiotherapy

A

Gamma rays are directed at the right dosage to kill the cancer cells without damaging too many normal cells

20
Q

Risks to using radiation

A

Can damage cells by either killing or causing them to mutate

21
Q

What is nuclear fission

A

Splitting of a large unstable nucleus
Forms 2 lighter elements
Releases neutrons
Can start a chain reaction

22
Q

What can the energy released by nuclear fission be used for

A

Heat water or turn turbines or generators

23
Q

How is the amount of energy produced in fission by a nuclear reactor controlled

A

Using control rods which absorb neutrons

24
Q

What happens during nuclear fusion

A

2 light nuclei collide at high speed and fuse to create a lighter heavier nucleus

The heavier nucleus doesn’t have as much mass as the 2 separate light nuclei as some of the mass is converted into energy

25
Q
A

Physics (5 decks)

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