Ch17 Radioactivity Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is an atom made of?
Recap from what you learnt in Chemistry.
1) proton
2) neutron
3) electron
What is the charge of a proton?
+
or positively charged
What is the charge of an electron?
-
or negatively charged
What is the charge of a neutron?
no charge
or uncharged
The picture shows the nuclide notation that represents the nucleus of an atom.
What does the letter ‘A’ represent?
‘A’ represents the nucleon number.
also known as mass number
This tells you the total number of protons and neutrons in the atom.
The picture shows the nuclide notation that represents the nucleus of an atom.
What does the letter ‘Z’ represent?
‘Z’ represents the proton number.
also known as atomic number
This tells you the total number of protons in the atom.
The picture shows the nuclide notation that represents the nucleus of an atom.
What does the letter ‘X’ represent?
‘X’ represents the chemical symbol of the element.
What are isotopes?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons
Cl is an example of an element that have isotopes.
Define nuclear decay.
Nuclear decay is a random process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses its energy by emission of electromagnetic radiation or particle(s).
also known as radioactive decay or radioactivity
What are the three types of nuclear emissions?
1) α - particles
2) β - particles
3) γ - rays
These emissions happen whenever there is radioactivity.
What is the nature of an α - particle?
It consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons tightly bound together.
This also resembles a helium (He) nucleus.
What is the nature of a β - particle?
It is a fast moving electron.
This electron is ejected from a radioactive nucleus.
What is the nature of γ - rays?
It is electromagnetic radiation emitted by a radioactive nucleus.
