P2 Phy Flashcards
What is the atomic number?
The number of protons in an atom
What is the mass number?
The total number of particles in the nucleus
Protons + neutrons
What are isotopes?
When atoms have the same number of protons but has different numbers of neutrons
What are ions?
A molecule that has either lost (positive) or gained (negative) electrons
What kind of nucleus do radioactive elements have?
An unstable nucleus
What is radioactive decay?
Unstable nucleus release and emit radiation and form a different nucleus
What is background radiation?
Low level of radiation around us
What are man made sources of radiation?
Atomic bomb tests
Nuclear power plants
Nuclear equation of Alpha radiation?
4 less protons (top)
2 less mass number (bottom)
Nuclear equation of Beta Decay?
0 less protons (Top)
1 less mass number (bottom)
What is the charge of alpha radiation?
2+
What is the charge of beta radiation?
-1
What is the charge if gamma radiation?
No charge
What are the distances between alpha, beta and gamma radiation?
Alpha particles can travel a few centimeters
Beta can travel through a few meters
Gamma can travel a long way
What does ionizing radiation mean?
Radiation ionize atoms to form charged ions
What is the danger of ionization?
They damage or kill cells
Why is alpha radiation more dangerous than gamma or beta radiation?
Alpha radiation has a short range so it will ionize everything close
Beta and gamma radiation have a long range so it will travel far before it could ionize cells
Give one positive use of alpha particles and explain how
Alpha particles can be used in smoke detectors. It neutralizes charged particles in smoke and the number of charged particles In the air will reduce. The detector will detect the change and the alarm will go off
What are the uses of beta radiation?
Beta particles can damage cancer cells without causing too much damage to healthy cells
It can use to measure thickness of paper in factories
What are the uses of gamma radiation?
They are used as medical traders
Detect cracks in pipes