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Physics > Nuclear Physics > Flashcards

Nuclear Physics Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a radioisotope?

A

An unstable isotope. It may spontaneously decay by emitting a particle from the nucleus.

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2
Q

What is an alpha particle?

A

An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. It is identical to a helium nucleus.

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3
Q

What is a beta particle?

A

An electron that has been emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom.

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4
Q

What is a gamma ray?

A

It is high-energy electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from the nuclei of radioactive atoms. They usually accompany alpha or beta emmission.

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5
Q

At what speed at alpha particle ejected?

A

At about 10% the speed of light

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6
Q

Do alpha particle have high ionisation?

A

Yes

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7
Q

What is an alpha particle charge?

A

It has a double positive charge.

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8
Q

What is an alpha particles penetrating ability?

A

Poor.

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9
Q

What is a beta particles charge?

A

A single negative electric charge

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10
Q

What is a beta particles ionising ability?

A

Moderate

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11
Q

What is a beta particles penetrating ability?

A

Moderate

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12
Q

What is the charge of a gamma ray?

A

They have no electrical charge

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13
Q

What is a gamma rays ionising ability?

A

Weak

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14
Q

What is a gamma ray’s penetrating ability?

A

High

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15
Q

What is the energy of alpha, beta and gamma rays measured in?

A

Electron-volts eV

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16
Q

What is a half life?

A

The time it take for half of the nuclei in a sample of radioisotopes to decay.

17
Q

What is the activity of a sample?

A

The activity of a sample indicates the number of radioactive decays that are occuring in the sample each second. Activity is measured in becquerels Bq. 1 Bq = 1 disintergration per second.

18
Q

How will the activity of a sample behave over time?

A

It will decrease over time. Over one half life the activity of a sample will halve.

19
Q

What is nuclear fission?

A

It is when a necleus is caused to split and release a nuber of neutrons. This can happen when a fissile nucleus has been struck by a neutron.

20
Q

What are the most common nuclear fuels?

A

Uranium-235 and plutonium-239

21
Q

What happens mass of the fission fragments compared to the nass of the original particles?

A

They have less mass. The decrease in mass is equivalent to the energy that is released during each fission and can be determined by E=?mc2

22
Q

What is an isotope

A

An isotope of an element has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons

23
Q

Uranium-235 is readily fissile when…

A

It is struck by a slow neutron

24
Q

Plutonium-239 is readily fissile when…

A

Struck by a fast moving neutron.

25
Q

What may happen when a fission reaction is taking place that releases one neutron per fission?

A

A chain reaction may be established.

26
Q

What is critical mass?

A

It is the least amount of material that will sustain a chain reaction. The critical mass of a material depends on its concentration, shape and size.

27
Q

What does a nuclear reactor use as its fuel?

A

Enriched uranium fuel rods that have been enriched to 3-4% uranium-235.

28
Q

What is a moderator?

A

A material in the core of the reactor, like water or graphite, that acts to slow the neutrons that are emitted during fission.

29
Q

What are control rods and what do they do?

A

They are a material. like cadmium or boron steel, that absorb neutrons. They are raised and lowered to control the cahin reaction and produce a steady release of energy.

30
Q

What is coolant?

A

It is a liguid that flows through the reactor core and extracts heat energy from it. This energy is used to priduce steam to power turbines to produce energy.

31
Q

What does a fast breeder reactor use as its fuel?

A

Plutonium-239

32
Q

Does a fast breeder reactor need a moderator?

A

No

33
Q

Why is uranium-238 used in the core of a fast breeder reactor?

A

It absorbs neutrons and transmutes into plutonium-239, which is used as fuel.

34
Q

What is nuclear fussion?

A

The joining of two smal nuclei under conditions of high energy to produce one larger nucleus.

Physics (7 decks)

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