P4 - Atomic Structure Flashcards
Which 4 scientists helped develop the atom model and how?
Thomson - created the plum pudding model which suggested that the atom was a ball of positively charged mass with electrons in.
Rutherford - he created an atom model that suggested that the mass of an atom was concentrated in the centre of the atom and this area called the ‘nucleus’ was positively charged by protons.
Bohr - he discovered that electrons orbit the nucleus.
Chadwick - discovered non charged particles called neutrons.
What are Alpha particles?
A helium atom (2 protons + 2 neutrons)
What are beta particles?
An electron
What are Gamma Rays?
Electromagnetic waves with a short wavelength
What does radiation do?
It strips an atom of it’s electrons
What does Alpha decay do?
It decreases mass (-4) and charge (-2)
What does Beta decay do?
It increases charge (+1)
What does Gamma decay do?
Nothing
What is Half-Life?
The time taken for count rate to half
What is Irradiation?
Exposure to radiation
What is Contamination?
Radioactive particles getting onto objects
What is Nuclear Fission?
The splitting of a large, unstable nucleus
What is Nuclear Fusion?
The joining of smaller nuclei
What is Background Radiation?
The low-level radiation that’s around us all the time.
What is a similarity of Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion?
Both produce energy
