Nuclear Radiation Flashcards
Name the 3 types of nuclear radiation
Alpha, beta and gamma
What is an alpha particle
Alpha particles consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
It is positively charged
It has a slow moving electron
It is emitted when a larger unstable nuclei decays
They cause the greatest ionisation
What is a beta particle
Its negatively charged
Has a fast and high energy electron
Causes weak ionisation
What is a gamma particle
Has a neutral balance
Travels at the speed of light
Is emitted when a radioactive atom decays
Causes very weak ionisation
What are the units for absorbed dose
Grays- Gy
What are the units for equivalent dose
Sieverts- Sv
What is the unit for activity
Becquerel- Bq
What are the prefixes for micro
x 10 to the power of negative 6
What are the prefixes for milli
x 10 to the power of negative 3
What are the units for energy
Joules
What is the definition of half life
The time taken for the activity of a substance to halve
What is fission
The splitting of an atom
What is fussion
The joining of a nuclei
Energy is RELEASED when 2 nuclei combine to form a nucleus of a larger mass number
What is it meant by an activity of 1 bq
1 bq= 1 decay per second
What is meant by the term ionisation
Ionisation is the lose of gain of an electron to form ions
What is it meant by an absorbed dose of 1 Gy
1 Gy = 1 joule per kilogram
Name a source of background radiation
Rocks and cosmic rays
