Nuclear Physics Flashcards
How is stable nuclei stable?
Nuclear force is strong enough to hold nucleus together.
What is radioactive decay?
Atoms either have too many protons or neutrons. This disrupts the force. They try to balance themselves by giving off excess protons or electrons. This is known as radioactive decay.
What are the 3 types of Decay?
Alpha Decay = a
Beta Decay Minus = e-
Beta Decay Plus = e+
What is alpha decay?
The loss of an alpha particle.
An alpha particle is made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
The mass decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by =2
What is beta- Decay
When an atom has too many neutrons. it decays via beta- Decay.
A neutron changes into a proton and electron. The elctron is lost and is known asa beta particle
The mass number remains same and the atomic number inceases by +1
What is beta+ Decay
When an atom has too many protons. it decays by beta+ decay.
A proton turns into a neutron and a positron is formed.
Atomic number decreases by 1
How to know if an atom is stable or unstable?
If a radio isotope is on the left of the stability line, it has beta- decay
If its on the right, it will use beta + decay.
if particles have more than 82 protons. they will undergo alpha decay.
