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Physics > Nuclear Radiation > Flashcards

Nuclear Radiation Flashcards

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1
Q

What is all matter made up of?

A

Tiny particles called atoms

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2
Q

What is the atom made up of?

A

Protons, Neutrons and Electrons

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3
Q

How is the atom structured?

A

The protons and neutrons are tightly packed together to make up the nucleus while the electrons orbit the nucleus.

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4
Q

What is the mass, charge and location of a proton

A

the mass is 1, the charge is +1 (positive) and is located in the nucleus.

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5
Q

What is the mass, charge and location of a neutron

A

the mass is 1, the charge is 0 (neutral) and is located in the nucleus.

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6
Q

What is the mass, charge and location of an electron

A

The mass is negligible (0) the charge is -1 (negative) and is located outside the nucleus orbiting it.

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7
Q

Protons, Neutrons and Electrons are all types of?

A

Particles

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8
Q

In some atoms (especially large atoms) the nucleus is unstable, what does this mean?

A

This mean the atom can “spit out” particles. This is called radioactivity.

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9
Q

What causes ionization

A

Radioactivity

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10
Q

what is ionisation

A

ionisation is the loss or gain of electrons from an atom.

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11
Q

What are the 3 types of radiation that can be emitted by an atom

A

Alpha, Beta and Gamma Rays.

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12
Q

What is alpha radiation?

A

Alpha radiation is 2 protons and 2 neutrons (Helium nucleus)

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13
Q

What is Beta radiation?

A

Beta radiation is a fast moving electron with negative charge

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14
Q

What is gamma radiation?

A

Gamma is a high frequency wave with no mass or charge and is often sent out at the same times as alpha or beta.

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15
Q

What is the ionising power of alpha, Beta and Gamma

A

Alpha has strong ionising power
Beta has Medium ionising power
Gamma has very weak ionising power

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16
Q

How far can alpha travel in air?

A

10cm

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17
Q

How far can beta travel in air?

A

1m

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18
Q

How far can gamma travel in air?

A

Infinite distance

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19
Q

What material does it take for alpha to be absorbed completely?

A

Paper/Tissue Paper.

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20
Q

What material does it take for beta to be absorbed completely?

A

Few mm of Aluminium

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21
Q

What material does it take for gamma to be absorbed completely?

A

Lead will reduce gamma but not fully absorb it.

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22
Q

What is activity?

A

Activity is defined as the number of nuclei that decay per second

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23
Q

What is the formula for activity?

A

A = N/t

24
Q

What is activity measured in

A

Becquerels

25
Q

what is background radiation?

A

Background radiation is natural radiation that is all around us, our bodies have adapted through evolution to deal with background radiation

26
Q

Name at least 3 sources of background radiation

A

Radon gas from the ground (granite and other rocks)
Food and drink
Cosmic rays
Medical uses.
Nuclear weapons and energy

27
Q

natural sources of background radiation

A

cosmic rays
food
air and rocks

28
Q

Artificial sources of background radiation

A

Nuclear weapons
Medical (ie xray)
Nuclear energy

29
Q

Described how you can measure the background radiation.

A

Record the number of counts detected by the counter in one minute when there is no radioactive source in front of the GM tube. Repeat 3 times and calculate an average count rate.

30
Q

Formula for absorbed dose

A

D = E/m

31
Q

What is absorbed dose measured in

A

Grays (Gy)

32
Q

What is dosimetry?

A

Ionising radiation can be very harmful to living cells. Thew energy absorbed by the body tissue can cause damage to the cell’s DNA and affect how cells operate , it can even kill cells.

33
Q

What is equivalent dose?

A

Equivalent dose is a measure of the biological harm caused by a particular radiation exposure.

34
Q

What is the formula for Equivalent dose?

A

H = DWr

35
Q

What is equivalent dose measured in

A

Sieverts (Sv)

36
Q

What is the formula for equivalent dose rate

A

H* = H/t

37
Q

What is equivalent dose rate measured in?

A

Sieverts per unit time

38
Q

What is the average annual background radiation in the UK

A

2.2mSv

39
Q

Annual effective dose limit for a member of the public?

A

1.0 mSv

40
Q

What is the legal yearly limit for workers in the nuclear industry?

A

20mSv

41
Q

Define half life

A

Half life is the time taken for the activity to reduce to half of its original value.

42
Q

What is equivalent dose rate?

A

a measure of how quickly equivalent dose is absorbed.

43
Q

What is corrected count rate?

A

Count rate - Background count rate/ radiation

44
Q

Describe the experiment to measure half life (try get key points instead of waffling)

A

firstly check the time from clock
second use the stop clock and counter to measure the number of counts in a minute
thirdly you should wait 10 minutes then measure the counts in one minute again
repeat the process for 2 hours every 10 mins
measure the background count rate and subtract it from readings
plot a graph of corrected count rate per minute against time
lastly use the graph to determine half life

45
Q

Name at least 3 applications of radiation

A

Correct answers:
Controlling thickness of sheet materials
Smoke detectors
Cancer treatment
Carbon dating
detecting leakage in pipes
tracers

46
Q

Simply, describe the use of radiation to control thickness of sheet materials

A

Beta radiation will be emitted and go through the paper (being made in a paper mill) a detector will detect the radiation on the other side. if the thickness of the paper increases the level of radiation will decrease. Long half life is needed.

47
Q

Describe the use of radiation in smoke detectors

A

Alpha radiation is emitted in the smoke detector which causes ionisation of air particles which creates ions which are attracted to the oppositely charged electrode creating a current in the circuit. When smoke enters the detector less ionisation is caused making the current smaller which sets the alarm off. (less ionisation as alpha will be absorbed)

48
Q

Describe nuclear fission

A

Some large atoms like uranium are unstable. The nucleus of the atom can “split” into two pieces, releasing energy, neutrons and fission products (new nuclei)

49
Q

Describe nuclear fusion

A

If small nuclei like helium hit into each other at very high speed, they can join together. This releases energy and other products (helium nucleus, neutron)

50
Q

Describe how fission is used in nuclear power stations.

A

Energy released (fission product) is used to heat water and create steam, the steam spins turbines which spin the generator to generate electricity

51
Q

Name atleast 2 advantages of nuclear power

A

correct answers:
Low death per unit energy produced
Doesn’t emit Co2, less environmental harm.
new technology can make it more safe and less wasteful

52
Q

Name atleast 2 disadvantages of nuclear power

A

Correct answers:
Nuclear weapons, is used to create boms
Nuclear waste, highly radioactive, difficult to dispose of, waste.
Nuclear accidents and disasters, creates lots of radiation in air

53
Q

Why does nuclear fission produce so much energy? (chain reaction)

A

When a nucleus is split it releases another two or three neutrons, these can cause other nuclei to split which releases more energy and neutrons which can split more nuclei and so on. Lots of energy can be created as millions or billions of nuclei can be split in a short time.

54
Q

How do stars produce energy?

A

Nuclear fusion

55
Q

What is plasma?

A

Nuclei going at very high speeds, these are very hot (millions of degrees). only found in the centres of stars.

56
Q

Can fusion be done on earth?

A

Fusions is possible on earth but it’s very expensive and difficult. It is difficult to contain the hot plasma - must be done using magnetic fields as the plasma would instantly melt any solid container.

Physics (7 decks)

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