Nuclear Decay Definitions Flashcards

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1
Q

Background radiation

A

The radiation that is constantly present in the environment

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2
Q

Ionisation

A

The removal or additions of electrons from a neutral atom to create a charged ion

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3
Q

Spark counter

A

A detector that is capable of detecting alpha radiation as it ionises the air causing sparks across a high voltage

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4
Q

Geiger-Muller tube (G-M tube)

A

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

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5
Q

Unified mass units

A

A unit of mass commonly used in atomic physics. 1u is 1/12 the mass of the carbon 12 nucleus

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6
Q

Proton number (z)

A

The number of protons in one nucleus. Sometimes called the atomic number as it defines the element

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7
Q

Nucleon number (A)

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

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8
Q

Isotopes

A

Different forms of the same element, with the same proton number but different nucleon numbers (i.e different number of neutrons)

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9
Q

Nuclide

A

The nucleus of a particular isotope

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10
Q

Alpha particle

A

A helium nucleus (2 protons, 2 neutrons) given off from the nucleus of an unstable isotope

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11
Q

Beta particle

A

An electron given off from the nucleus of an unstable isotope

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12
Q

Neutrino

A

A fundamental particle with no charge, but very small mass

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13
Q

Electron antineutrino

A

The particular neutrino given off to accompany beta emission

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14
Q

Positron

A

The antiparticle to the electron with the same mass but positive charge

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15
Q

Spontaneous

A

An event which is unaffected by physical conditions

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16
Q

Random

A

An event that cannot be predicted

17
Q

Activity

A

The number of radioactive decays from a sample in one second

18
Q

Becqerel (Bq)

A

The unit of activity. One decay per second

19
Q

Half-life

A

The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei of a particular isotope to halve. (Equal to the time taken for the activity to halve)

20
Q

Decay constant (s^-1)

A

The proportion of nuclei of a particular isotope that decay in each second