Deck 10 = Radio Activity Flashcards
Atomic Theory?
- Geiger and Marsden fired alpha particles at a very thin gold film.
Most alpha particles past through undetected - Conclusion?
Most of the atom is empty space.
Some were deflected through small angles - Conclusion?
Nucleus is positively charged.
Occasionally, an alpha particle would be deflected through a large angle. - Conclusion?
Tiny nucleus with a large mass, relative to alpha, so very dense.
What did Bohr add to the Rutherford model?
The Bohr Model added the idea of electron shells of energy (energy level shells).
Mass Number =
Protons + Neutrons
What is a Isotope?
An atom with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.
What is the difference between Rutherford’s model of the atom and Thomson’s plum pudding model?
The Rutherford model is made up of mostly empty space which the protons and neutrons are very small and dense in the middle. This is different to the ‘Plum Pudding’ as it just has a large sphere. The Rutherfod model also has orbiting electrons.
What is a radioactive isotope?
“A radioisotope is an atom with a unstable nucleus.” Like an unstable building or cliff.
Background Radiation is ………..
…….. everywhere, we are surrounded by it. Radioisotopes release particles when they fall apart.
Sources of background radiation?
Radon Gasses in the ground. Also buildings and medical facilities and Food and Drink, cosmic rays.
What is one thing we need to do when measuring the activity of a radioactive source?
We have to correct for background radiation. We can do this by first measuring for background radiation then subtracting this of the reading for the source.
Total counts =
counts from radio isotope + background radiation.
What is Ionising radiation?
When a radioisotope decays, ionising radiation may be released. These are dangerous because they can steel electrons from atoms. Which can lead to cancer. The three types are alpha, beta and gamma.
Structure of Alpha Particle?
Each particle is 2 protons + 2 neutrons (identical to nucleus of helium - 4)
Structure of Beta Particle?
Each particle is an electron (created when a nucleus decays)
Structure of Gamma Rays?
electromagnetic waves similar to X-rays.
Charge of alpha particles?
+2
Charge of Beta Particles?
-1
Charge of gamma rays?
0