Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physics Paper 1 > Topic 4 Isotopes And Nuclear Radiation > Flashcards

Topic 4 Isotopes And Nuclear Radiation Flashcards

1
Q

What are isotopes

A

Different forms of the same element
Have the same number of protons and electrons but a different number of protons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What happens to unstable isotopes

A

Tend to decay into other elements and give out radiation as they try to become more stable
This process is called radioactive decay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Why might isotopes release neutrons when they decay

A

To rebalance their atomic and mass numbers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is ionising radiation

A

Radiation that knocks electrons off atoms creating positive ions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the ionising power of a radiation source

A

How Easily it can knock electrons off

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What type of radiation is the least penetrating

A

Alpha particles
Don’t penetrate very far and are stopped quickly
Can only travel a few cm in the air and are absorbed by a sheet of paper

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why are are alpha particles strongly ionising

A

Because of their size

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How ionising are beta particles

A

Moderately ionising
Penetrate moderately far into materials before colliding and and range in air a few meters
They are absorbed by a sheet of aluminium around 5mm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the mass of beta particles

A

Negligible 

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What happens for every beta particle that is emitted

A

A neutron in the nucleus has turned into a proton

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are gamma rays

A

Wave of electromagnetic radiation released by the nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How penetrating are gamma rays

A

Penetrate far into materials without being stopped and will travel a long distance through the air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Why are gamma rays not ionising

A

Because they tend to pass through rather than collide with atoms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What can gamma rays be absorbed by

A

Thick sheets of lead or metres of concrete

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is alpha radiation used for

A

Smoke detectors
Ionises particles in the air causing current to flow
If smoke is in the air it binds to the ions meaning the current stops and the alarm sounds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are beta emitters used for

A

To test the thickness of the sheets of metal as the particles are not immediately absorbed but the material like alpha and wouldn’t penetrate as far as gamma

17
Q

What are the types of ionising radiation elevated by radioactive substances

A

Alpha
Beta
Gamma

18
Q

What are alpha particles

A

Helium nuclei

19
Q

What is an alpha particle made up of

A

2 neutrons and 2 protons

20
Q

What is alpha radiation

A

When alpha particles are emitted from a nucleus

21
Q

How far can alpha particles travel

A

Only a few cm in air and are stopped by paper
This is because they are the least penetrating

22
Q

Why are alpha particles strongly ionising

A

Because of their size

23
Q

What are beta particles

A

High speed electrons that have virtually no mass and a charge of -1

24
Q

How ionising are beta particles

A

Moderately ionising

25
Q

How penetrating are beta particles

A

Can go a few meters in air and are absorbed by a sheet of aluminium around 5mm

26
Q

What happens when every beta particle is emitted

A

A neutron in the nucleus turns into a proton

27
Q

What are gamma rays

A

Waves of electromagnetic radiation released by the nucleus

28
Q

How penetrating are gamma rays

A

Penetrate far into materials without being stopped and can travel long distances in the air
They are absorbed by thick sheets of lead or meters of concrete

29
Q

Why are gamma rays weakly ionising

A

Tend to pass through rather than collide with atoms but eventually hit something and do damage

30
Q

What is alpha radiation used in

A

Used in smoke detectors as it ionises air particles causing current to flow

31
Q

How does the smoke detector work

A

If smoke in the air then it brings to the ions meaning the current stops and the alarm sounds

32
Q

What are beta emitters used to test

A

Thickness of sheets of metal as they are not immediately absorbed like alpha radiation but also do not penetrate as far as gamma rays

Physics Paper 1 (35 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions