Half-life, intro to fission Flashcards
what are the 4 types of radiation
-alpha
-beta
-gamma
-neutrons
what is fission?
The splitting of a large and unstable nucleus results in releasing large amount of energy
process of fission (step 1)
the nucleus of the large, unstable isotope absorbs a nuetron
process of fission (step 2)
this causes the nucleus to split two smaller nuclei that are the approximately the same size
process of fission (step 3)
In addition, two or three neutrons, gamma, radiation and lots of energy is released
process of fission (step 4)
all the products (smaller nuclei and neutrons) have a large store of kinetic energy
what particle is necessary for fission to occur
neutron
what particle are released in nuclear fission
neutrons
how does the parent nucleus differ from the daughter nuclei ?
parent nuclei is larger (larger mass) than the daughter nuclei.
units of activity
Bq
what does contamination mean?
there is the unwanted presence of radioactive atom(s) on materials
what does irradiation mean?
exposing an object to radiation to destroy micro-organisms
what is nuclear radiation used for in medicine ?
-exploration of internal organs
-controlled destruction of unwanted tissue
What factors should be considered with risks of radiation
-type of radiation
-half-life of source
what are the advantages industrial use of radioactive material
-massive dilution of waste
- reduces concentration (within a given volume) to insignificant levels
-distant from habitation
what are the disadvantages of industrial use of radioactive material
-pollution (of the sea/beach)
-mutation or harm to animals or plants
-long period of time necessary
count rate per second =
total counts/total time
count rate for the sample=
(total counts/total time) -background count rate
what does a long half-life have?
radioactive for a longer time, so there is continual exposure
what does a short half-life have?
Extremely radioactive initially ,so high exposure, but it will quickly decreases it’s activity to a safe level
