Nuclear Decay Definitions Flashcards
Background radiation
The radiation that is constantly present in the environment
Ionisation
The removal or additions of electrons from a neutral atom to create a charged ion
Spark counter
A detector that is capable of detecting alpha radiation as it ionises the air causing sparks across a high voltage
Geiger-Muller tube (G-M tube)
A detector capable of detecting beta and gamma radiation. Texts state that it cannot detect alpha radiation as alpha is unable to penetrate through the mica window
Unified mass units
A unit of mass commonly used in atomic physics. 1u is 1/12 the mass of the carbon 12 nucleus
Proton number (z)
The number of protons in one nucleus. Sometimes called the atomic number as it defines the element
Nucleon number (A)
The number of nucleons (neutrons and protons) in one nucleus. Sometimes called the mass number as it is approximately the mass of the nucleus in unified mass units
Isotopes
Different forms of the same element, with the same proton number but different nucleon numbers (i.e different number of neutrons)
Nuclide
The nucleus of a particular isotope
Alpha particle
A helium nucleus (2 protons, 2 neutrons) given off from the nucleus of an unstable isotope
Beta particle
An electron given off from the nucleus of an unstable isotope
Neutrino
A fundamental particle with no charge, but very small mass
Electron antineutrino
The particular neutrino given off to accompany beta emission
Positron
The antiparticle to the electron with the same mass but positive charge
Spontaneous
An event which is unaffected by physical conditions
