nuclear radiation Flashcards
what happens to radioisotopes
they undergo radioactive decay
what is a radioisotope
unstable atom- with unstable nuclei
what is radioactive decay
when a radioisotope ejects electromagnetic waves from its nucleus and transforms into another element
what is an isotope
different types of atom which have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons
what are the three types of radioactive decay
alpha decay
beta decay
gamma decay
what is alpha decay
when isotopes have too many protons and neutrons
they eject a helium nucleus- 2 protons and 2 neutrons (alpha particle)
what is beta decay
when isotopes have to many neutrons
nucleus ejects a beta particle- electrons
what is gamma decay
the protons and neutrons rearrange inside the nucleus
emit gamma rays
what is nuclear fusion
merging of two or more smaller atoms into one
what is nuclear fission
when a nucleus is struck it splits in half generates electricity
what is an example of a nuclear power accident
Chernobyl
what happened in Chernobyl
reactor suffered a power increase leading to an explosion in the core
this dispersed radioactive fuel
what is a nuclear reactor
system that contains and controls sustained nuclear reactions
how does a nuclear reactor work
- reactor is full of atoms(fuel) and neutrons
- atoms split when absorb neutrons-fission
- heat energy is released
- heat is carried by coolant (water) to turbine to generator which transfers electricity
what is radioactive dating
measuring the natural rate of decay of radioisotopes
