Isotopes and Nuclear Radiation Flashcards
What is an isotope
Different forms of the same element
What does each element have a set number of
A set number of protons ( so each nucleus has given positive charge )
What is the number of protons non a atom called
Atomic number or its proton number
What is the mass number made up from in the nucleus
Number of protons + number of neutrons In nucleus
How can isotopes elements can be written
It can be written like e.g. carbon-14. This means the mass number is 14
How are isotopes of an element common
They have the same number of protons ( the same atomic number )
How is an isotope different of an element
They have different number of neutrons ( different mass number )
Do all elements have different isotopes
All elements have different isotopes, but they are usually only one or two stable elements
What do the unstable isotopes do. And what is this process called?
They tend to decay into other elements and give out radiation as they try and become more stable. The process is called radioactive decay
What do radioactive substances do
They spit out one or more types of ionising radioactive when they decay
What are examples of ionising radiation which can be given at and decay at random
Alpha, Beta, gamma. Also neutrons can be emitted
