P4-nuclear decay + radiation Flashcards
what does an alpha + beta particle look like? what are their properties
Alpha= 2 protons 2 neutrons
-4 on top
-2 below
beta= 1 electron
-0 on top
-(-1) below
what is an isotope?
atoms have same number of protons and electrons but different number neutrons and therefore have different physical properties
what is the charge of an Alpha, beta, gamma particle?
alpha= +2
beta=-1
gamma= 0
what is a gamma ray?
electromagnetic waves which move at the speed of light
what are Alpha, beta, gamma stopped by?
alpha= skin/paper
beta= 3mm of aluminium
gamma= thick lead/concrete
what are Alpha, beta, gamma’s range in air?
alpha= 8cm
beta= 1m
gamma= 1km
what are Alpha, beta, gamma ionisation power?
alpha= 10,000
beta= 100
gamma=1
what is contamination
WHEN RADIOACTIVE PARTIClES GET ONTO OBJECTS, it comes about from touching radioactive substances.
What is ionisation (+ it’s harm)?
occurs when electrons are removed from an atom. ionising radiation causes two types of harm to humans: TISSUE DAMAGE + CANCER
what is irradiation?
when an object is EXPOSED to nuclear RADIATION but the object DOESN’T become radioactive, can be used to sterilise food, to kill bacteria.
what is radioactive decay?
random process, we cannot predict when nucleus will decay
nuclear decay?
particle emitted, effected on the number and atomic mass of decaying nucleus
what happens to the atomic number and mass of a nucleus when a beta particle is emitted?
what happens to the atomic number and mass of a nucleus when a alpha particle is emitted?
what is half life?
the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.
