Isotopes & Radiation

Question 1

whats a isotope?

Answer 1

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different atomic masses.

Question 2

what is radiation?

Answer 2

Radiation is energy that moves as waves or particles through space or a medium, being a part of our daily environment

Question 3

what is half-life?

Answer 3

Half-life is the time required for half of the atomic nuclei in a radioactive sample to decay. This concept is crucial in radioactivity and nuclear physics.

Question 4

how can you tell if the element is stable or unstable?

Answer 4

An atom is stable if the forces among the particles that makeup the nucleus are balanced. An atom is unstable (radioactive) if these forces are unbalanced; if the nucleus has an excess of internal energy. Instability of an atom’s nucleus may result from an excess of either neutrons or protons.

Question 5

What does the number next to an isotope signify?

Answer 5

The number next to an isotope signifies its mass number, which is the total count of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Question 6

How can you tell isotopes of the same element apart?

Answer 6

Isotopes differ in the number of neutrons in their nucleus, which results in different neutron counts. For instance, Carbon-14 has 8 neutrons, while Carbon-12 has 6.

Question 7

Summarise what happens to an isotope when it becomes unstable?

Answer 7

When an isotope becomes unstable due to an imbalance of neutrons and protons, it undergoes radioactive decay to regain stability. This process can involve the emission of various types of radiation such as alpha, beta, or gamma rays.

Question 8

Define the following terms:
Radioactivity
Nuclear Decay
Half-life

Answer 8

Radioactivity is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation, including alpha and beta particles as well as gamma rays.

Nuclear decay refers to the transformation of an unstable atomic nucleus into a more stable one, often accompanied by the release of radiation.

Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay, marking the rate at which a radioactive material loses its potency.