BLOCK 1 Radioactivity Flashcards
IDENTITY: Alpha
Helium nucleus
IDENTITY: Beta-
High energy electron
IDENTITY: Beta+
Positron
IDENTITY: Gamma
High frequency, electromagnetic wave
PENETRATION POWER: Alpha
Very low
(stopped by paper)
PENETRATION POWER: Beta-
Medium
(stopped by 1mm aluminium foil)
PENETRATION POWER: Beta+
N/A
PENETRATION POWER: Gamma
Very high
(minimised by 1cm lead, or 1m concrete
IONISING POWER: Alpha
High ionising power
IONISING POWER: Beta-
Medium
IONISING POWER: Beta+
N/A
IONISING POWER: Gamma
Very low
Define half-life
Time taken for 50% of the atoms in a radioactive sample to decay
define neutron
A proton with an embedded electron
define radio isotope
An isotope of an element, which is radioactive
define electron capture
When an atoms nucleus captures, one of its own electrons,
changing a proton into a neutron
(equivalent to Beta+ decay)
TRANSMUTATION: Alpha
LHS: -2
TRANSMUTATION: beta-
RHS: +1
TRANSMUTATION: beta+
LHS: -1
TRANSMUTATION: gamma
Elements stay the same
What is added to nuclear equation: alpha
Helium
What is added to nuclear equation: beta-
₋ ₁⁰e
What is added to nuclear equation: beta+
₁⁰e
Adverse effects of radiation:
Can permanently damage living cells therefore it can become cancerous
uses of radiation:
-medical tracers
-radiotherapy
-carbon dating
