Nuclear Decay 3.5

Question 1

define nuclear decay?

Answer 1

process by which nucleus of a atom loses energy by emitting radiation.

Question 2

Define nuclear radiation?

Answer 2

is the emission of energy in the form of waves or particles

Question 3

define alpha decay?

Answer 3

is a nuclear decay by the emission of a particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons)

Question 4

define beta decay?

Answer 4

nuclear decay by the emission of an electron or positron.

Question 5

define gamma decay?

Answer 5

nuclear decay by the emission of a photon.

Question 6

alpha particle range

Answer 6

3cm of air, 0.02mm of glass

Question 7

beta particle range

Answer 7

1 m of air, 0.5mm aluminium

Question 8

gamma particle range

Answer 8

500m of air, 5cm of lead

Question 9

define alpha radiation

Answer 9

The most weakest penetrating type of nuclear radiation (consists of a helium nuclei)

Question 10

Define Beta radiation

Answer 10

Has a more penetrating type of alpha radiation(consists of electrons / positrons)

Question 11

Define Gamma radiation

Answer 11

Most penetrating type of radiation (consists of high energy photons)

Question 12

Define the range of nuclear radiation

Answer 12

distance it travels before being absorbed.

Question 13

What does the penetrating power of radiation depends on?

Answer 13

Their energy (Greater their energy greater their range)

Question 14

how does the density of the material affect radiation?

Answer 14

denser the material the better for absorption.

Question 14

Gamma rays interaction with electrons.

Answer 14

1. gamma rays only are affected by atomic electron
2. they lose all their energy in one interaction.

Question 15

define background radiation?

Answer 15

Nuclear radiation which is detected in the absence of the source under investigation.

Question 16

If the path is circular for a particle radius of the circular path is given by the equation

Answer 16

radius = momentum / charge X flux density.

Question 17

define the Activity of a radio active source.

Answer 17

number of radioactive decays per unit time

Question 18

define the decay constant?

Answer 18

is the fraction of the atoms of a radioactive nuclide which decay per unit time.

Question 19

equation for activity.

Answer 19

Activity = decay constant / no. of molecules

Question 20

define half life?

Answer 20

time taken for the no. of nuclei of a radioactive nuclide to halve

Question 21

equation of activity

Answer 21

Activity = Initial Activity E ^-decay constant X time

Question 22

Define Time constant

Answer 22

time taken for the activity to decrease by a factor of 1/ee

Question 23

Equation for time constant

Answer 23

Time = 1 / decay constant

Question 24

half life equation.

Answer 24

Half life / ln(2) = 1 / decay constant