P2.6 Radioactivity Flashcards
What is Beta radiation?
Beta radiation consists of high energy electrons emitted from the nucleus. They form when a neutron splits into a proton and an electron. The electron then shoots out of the nucleus at high speed, leaving the new proton behind in the nucleus
What is Alpha radiation?
Alpha radiation consists of alpha particles. Like the nucleus of a helium atom, an alpha particle comprises of two protons and two neutrons.
What is Gamma radiation?
Gamma radiation is very short wavelength, high frequency electromagnetic radiation. This is similar to other types of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light and X-rays, which can travel long distances.
What are the 3 main types of ionising radiation?
Alpha, Beta and Gamma
What is a half-life?
The time taken for half of the nuclei to decay
What does a half-life graph show?
A sample’s activity over a certain period of time
What is carbon dating?
Carbon dating is when the amount of carbon-14 left in a dead organism is calculated/measured to approximately work out it’s age
How are tracers used in Medicine?
The source used is either a beta or gamma emitter and is put into a drink, ingested or injected, depending on which part of the body is being investigated. The radioactive material is given enough time to move around the body before a radiographer positions a detector outside the body which can produce a picture of the patient’s internal organs.
How are tracers used in plumbing?
To find a leak or blockage, the radioactive material is put into one end of the pipe. A radiation detector outside the pipe or above ground is used to track its progress through the pipe. The leak or blockage is discovered by finding where amount of radiation detected decreases.
How does radiation monitor the thickness of materials?
Radiation can monitor the thickness of materials such as paper, plastic and aluminium. The thicker the material, the more radiation is absorbed and the less radiation reaches the detector. It then sends signals to the equipment that adjusts the thickness of the material.
