Nuclear Physics Flashcards
What charge do electrons have?
-1
An electron is a fundamental particle, what does this mean?
It cannot be split up any further than it already is
What is the nucleus made up of?
The proton and the neutron
What charge does a proton have?
+1
What charge does a neutron have?
0
Are protons and neutrons fundamental particles? If not, what are they made up of?
They are not fundamental particles, and they are made up of quarks
What is the nucleon number?
The number of protons and neutrons
What is the proton number?
The number of protons in the atom
What is the proton number equal to?
The electron number
What are isotopes?
Nuclei of the same element (so the same number of protons) but have a different number of neutrons
What are radio isotopes?
Isotopes that are unstable and will spontaneously give off nuclear radiation
What are the 3 types of nuclear radiation?
- alpha (looks like a fish)
- beta (ß)
- gamma (➰)
What do the 3 types of radiation have in common?
They all spontaneously give off radiation
None of our human sense organs can detect them
They are all IONISING radiation
What is alpha radiation? What is their mass, charge and how ionising is it?
Helium nuclei, mass of 4, charge of +2 and the most ionising
How penetrative is alpha radiation?
Least penetrative, absorbed by a few sheets of paper
What are beta particles? What is their mass, charge and how ionising are they?
Beta particles are high energy electrons. Their masses are very small and have a charge of -1. They are moderately ionising
How penetrative is beta particle?
can be absorbed by a few mm of aluminium
What is gamma radiation? What is it’s mass, charge and how ionising is it?
Gamma radiation is high energy electro magnetic radiation. Has no mass, no charge and is the least ionising
How penetrative is gamma radiation?
The most penetrative. Can be absorbed by a few mm of concrete
What is the conservation of charge?
Total charge before process = total charge after process
What is the conservation of the nucleon number?
Total number of nucleons before = total number of nucleons after
What is the unit of radioactivity?
The becquerel (Bq)
What 2 things does the activity of a simple of radioactive material depend on?
1) what type of a radioisotope it is
2) how many nuclei are present
What type of graph is a radioactivity graph?
An exponential curve
What is half life?
The average time taken for the activity of a radioisotope to fall by affector of 2
Give an use of alpha radiation
Smoke alarms and smoke detection
Give a use of gamma radiation
Sterilising medical equipment
How do you figure out the neutron number
Nucleon number - proton number
What are the 2 types of nuclear power?
Fission and fusion
What is nuclear fission? Where does it occur?
Happens in nuclear power stations and in nukes, SPLITTING very high mass nuclei with release of energy
What is nuclear fusion? Where does it occur?
Occurs in stars and makes the sun shine. Also in Hydrogen bombs. Made by joining low mass nuclei with the release of energy
What safety precautions must yiu take when handling nuclear products?
- don’t eat or drink around them
- never put them in your pockets
- use tongs, don’t point at anyone
- store in lead shielded boxes
