Atomic Structure P1T4 Flashcards
What is the atomic mass number?
The number of neutrons + the number of protons
What is the atomic number? (Proton number)
The number of protons
Where on a symbol would you find the atomic mass number?
The top right hand side.
Where on a symbol would you find the atomic number? (Proton number)
The bottom right hand side.
What is an atom? (Compared to ions and isotopes)
Neutral
What is an ion?
An atom that has gained or lost one of more electron. They are charged.
What is an isotope?
An atom with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons
Where do you find the proton in an atom?
In the nucleus
Where do you find the neutron in an atom?
In the nucleus
Where do you find the electron in an atom?
Orbiting the nucleus on electron shells
What is nuclear radiation?
Nuclear radiation is ionising, which means it turns atoms into ions. In humans this can damage or kill cells
What can cell damage lead to?
Mutations, that lead to growths then tumours.
What is background radiation?
The radiation that is ever present. In different parts of the world the background radiation is different.
Name the three types of radiation.
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
What is nuclear decay?
Nuclear decay occurs when an unstable nucleus emits nuclear radiation ti become more stable.
What is alpha radiation?
When a nucleus has too few neutrons, it emits a ‘package’ of two protons and two neutrons called an alpha particle.
What is an alpha particle?
A helium nucleus
What is the relative charge of alpha radiation?
+2
What is the relative atomic mass of an alpha particle?
4
What is the ionisation power of an alpha particle?
It has a high ionisation power
What is alpha radiation stopped by?
Skin/ paper
What is an alpha particles range in air?
<5cm
What is beta radiation?
When a nucleus has too many neutrons, a neutron will turn into a proton and emit a high energy electron called a beta particle.
What is the relative charge of a beta particle?
-1
What is the relative atomic mass of a beta particle?
Almost 0
What is the ionisation power of a beta particle?
Low
What is a beta particle stopped by?
Aluminium foil
What is a beta particles range in air?
≈1m
What is gamma radiation?
After emitting an alpha or beta particle, the nucleus will often be still too ‘hot’. The nucleus will then lose energy by emitting infrared radiation, an electromagnetic wave
What is the relative charge of a gamma ray?
0
What is the relative atomic mass of a gamma ray?
0
What is the ionisation power of a gamma ray?
Very low
What is gamma radiation stopped by?
Lead/concrete, but is not fully stopped just slowed
What is a gamma rays range in air?
> 1Km
What is the most dangerous kind of radiation?
Gamma
What is fusion?
When two light nuclei collide at high speed to fuse into a larger heavier nucleus
What are the advantages of fusion power? (Name 2)
- No carbon emissions, the only by-products of fusion are small amounts of helium
- Abundance in fuels, the supplies of deuterium and tritium can last for millions of years
What are the disadvantages of fusion power? (Name 2)
- No full scale production expected until 2050
- Requires extremely high temperatures and is difficult to contain
