P4 - Radiation For Life Flashcards
P4 - Radiation For Life
Which direction do electrons move when a polythene rod is rubbed with a duster?
From duster to rod
P4 - Radiation For Life
Which direction do electrons move when an acetate rod is rubbed with a duster?
From rod to duster
P4 - Radiation For Life
What is a static charge caused by?
Electrons moving
P4 - Radiation For Life
What happens if enough static charge builds up?
It can suddenly move which can cause sparks or shocks that may be dangerous.
P4 - Radiation For Life
How can a charged conductor be discharged safely?
By connecting it to earth with a metal strap (earthing).
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How does earthing work?
Electrons flow down strap to ground if charge is negative and flow up strap from ground if positive.
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What are ions?
Atoms or molecules with a charge
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How does static attract dust?
Dust particles are charged and attract opposite charge. Objects in home are insulators (get easily charged) and attract dust.
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How does static affect clothing?
When synthetic clothes dragged (head or other clothes) electrons scrape off, leaving static charge - two attract. Little sparks/shocks as charges rearrange themselves.
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What causes shocks from door handles?
Walking on nylon carpet with insulating soles builds up charge. Touching metal door handle/water pipe allows charge to flow via conductor - little shock.
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How can static on clothing become dangerous?
Charge may become large enough to make a spark - dangerous near inflammable gases or fuel fumes.
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When can static become dangerous (other than on clothes)?
Fuel flowing out of pipe, paper drags on rollers or grain shoots out of pipe, static builds up. If too big, might spark - explosion in dusty/fumey places (petrol station).
P4 - Radiation For Life
What kind of places is static dangerous in?
Areas with inflammable liquids or a high concentration of oxygen (hospital operating theatre)
P4 - Radiation For Life
How do anti-static sprays work?
Make surface of a charged object conductive - provides an easy path for charges to move away.
P4 - Radiation For Life
How do insulating mats and shoes work?
Prevent static electricity moving through them - stops human getting shocked.
P4 - Radiation For Life
How do paint sprayers work?
Spray gun charged and object given opposite to attract. Paint drops repel each other (fine spray).
P4 - Radiation For Life
What is the good thing about electrostatic paint sprayers?
Method gives even coat and hardly any paint wasted. No shadows - everywhere covered.
P4 - Radiation For Life
How do dust precipitators work?
Smoke particles reach chimney bottom, meet wire grid/rods with high voltage and (-) charge. Dust particles gain electrons (become (-)) Dust particles induce charge on earthed metal plates Dust attracted to metal plates - stick forming larger particles When heavy enough, particles fall off/knocked off with hammer Falls and is removed
P4 - Radiation For Life
How does a defibrillator work?
2 paddles to power supply: Paddles firmly on chest (good electrical contact) and charged up Everyone moves away - operator holds insulated handles Charge passes through paddles to patient - heart contracts.
P4 - Radiation For Life
If you increase the voltage….
more current will flow
P4 - Radiation For Life
If you increase the resistance…
less current will flow (or more voltage is needed to keep same current flowing)
P4 - Radiation For Life
Current only flows when?
As long as there is a complete loop - broke circuit means no current.
P4 - Radiation For Life
What does the live wire do?
Carries voltage. Alternates between a high + and - voltage of about 230V
P4 - Radiation For Life
What colour is the live wire?
Brown
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What does the earth wire do?
Works together with fuse for safety
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What does the neutral wire do?
Completes tcircuit - electricity flows out through neutral - always at 0V.
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What colour is the neutral wire?
Blue
P4 - Radiation For Life
What colour is the earth wire?
Green and yellow
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What must all appliances with metal cases be?
earthed
P4 - Radiation For Life
What does double insulated mean?
If appliance has casing that is non-conductive (e.g. plastic) - doesn’t need earthing (never live)
P4 - Radiation For Life
What happens is a fault develops where the live wire touches the metal case?
A big current flows through live wire. Surge blows fuse and causes wire inside to melt. Cuts off live supply by breaking circuit.
P4 - Radiation For Life
When the fuse blows, what does this prevent?
Electric shocks by isolating appliance. Stops flex overheating which may cause fire. Prevent further damage to appliance.
P4 - Radiation For Life
What is a circuit breaker?
Works like a fuse but can be reset and used again.
P4 - Radiation For Life
How should fuses be rated?
As near as possible but just higher than normal operating current.
P4 - Radiation For Life
What are the fixed fuse ratings?
3A, 5A and 13A
P4 - Radiation For Life
What is a variable resistor?
Rheostat - resistor whose resistance can be changed by turning a knob.
P4 - Radiation For Life
What are variable resistors good for?
Alternating the current flowing through a circuit. Turn up resistance, current drops (vice versa).
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Why do thinner wires increase resistance?
Electric charge has less space to move through.
P4 - Radiation For Life
What is the resistance of a fixed resistor like?
Steady - at a constant temperature
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How is resistance calculated?
Voltage / current
P4 - Radiation For Life
How is the ammeter set up in a circuit to measure resistance?
In series with other components
P4 - Radiation For Life
How is the voltmeter placed in a circuit to measure resistance?
In parallel around component being tested.
P4 - Radiation For Life
What is the official name for voltage around a test circuit?
Potential difference
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What are compressions?
Parts of a wave under high pressure (lots of particles)
P4 - Radiation For Life
What are rarefactions in a wave?
Parts under low pressure (fewer particles)
P4 - Radiation For Life
What is wavelength?
A full cycle of a wave from crest to crest/compression to compression
P4 - Radiation For Life
What is frequency?
How many complete waves there are per second passing a certain point. Measured in hertz. Sound - high frequency=high pitch
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What is amplitude?
Measured from rest position to crest. Tells you how much energy wave is carrying, or how loud it is.
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How does a longitudinal wave move?
Vibrations are along same direction as wave is travelling
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How does a transverse wave move?
Vibrations are at 90 degrees to direction of travel of the wave
P4 - Radiation For Life
What is ultrasound?
Electric devices can be made which produce electrical oscillations of any frequency. Easily converted into mechanical vibrations to produce longitudinal waves beyond range of human hearing.
P4 - Radiation For Life
How does ultrasound work when breaking down accumulation in the body?
Removing kidney stones. High energy of ultrasound at stone turns it into sand like particles. Particles pass out of body in urine. Doesn’t need surgery and painless.
P4 - Radiation For Life
How does ultrasound work in body scanning?
Waves pass through body but are reflected back when they meet a boundary between two different media. Echoes are processed by computer to produce video image.
P4 - Radiation For Life
What advantages does ultrasound have?
Ultrasound is great for imaging soft tissue. Safer doesn’t damage cells.
P4 - Radiation For Life
What do X-rays do compared to ultrasound?
Better for viewing bone. Can damage living cells by being ionising radiation, causing cancer at high doses.
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What are radioactive materials made up of?
Atoms with unstable nuclei that naturally decay at random
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What happens as radioactive material decays?
Give out alpha, beta and gamma. Nucleus often changes into new element.
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What is the relative atomic mass number?
Top number = number of protons and neutrons (AKA mass number)
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What is the atomic number?
Number of protons
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What is an isotope?
Atoms of same element with different mass numbers
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When does gamma radiation happen in decay?
After alpha and beta, if nucleus has extra energy to get rid of. Emits gamma ray that has no mass or charge - atomic and mass number don’t change.
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What is an alpha particle?
Helium nucleus of two protons and two neutrons
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What charge does an alpha particle have?
+2
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What mass does an alpha particle have?
4
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What happens to the mass number when a nucleus emits an alpha particle?
Decreases by 4 because it loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons
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What happens to the atomic number when the nucleus emits an alpha particle?
Decreases by 2 because it has 2 less protons
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What is a beta particle?
Fast moving electron
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What charge does a beta particle have?
-1
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What mass does a beta particle have?
0
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What happens to the mass number when a nucleus emits a beta particle?
Doesn’t change - lost a neutron but gained a proton
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What happens to the atomic number when a nucleus emits a beta particle?
Increases by 1 - has 1 more proton
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What happens as more unstable nuclei decay?
Radioactivity of the source as whole decreases - older a resource, less radiation emitted.
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What is the problem with trying to measure how quickly radioactive material decays?
Activity never reaches 0
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What is the definition of half life?
Time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei now present to decay.
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What does a short half life mean?
Activity falls quickly because lots of nuclei decay in a short time.
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What does a long half life mean?
Activity falls slowly, because most of nuclei doesn’t decay for a long time.
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What causes ionisation?
When some materials absorb ionising radiation - can enter living cells and interact with molecules.
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What does ionisation produce?
Charged particles called ions
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What is nuclear radiation and X-rays types of?
Ionising radiation
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What can X-rays and gamma rays do to electrons?
Transfer energy to electrons. Electrons then have enough energy to escape from atom, ionising it and leaving it positively charged.
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What can beta particles do to electrons?
Remove electrons from atom/molecule leaving them positively charged.
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What happens if a beta particle sticks to an atom?
Ionises it making it negatively charged.
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What can alpha particles do to electrons in an atom?
Remove electrons, making atom positive.
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Why are alpha particles good ionisers?
- Relatively large - easy to collide with atoms or molecules 2. Highly charged - easily remove electrons from atoms they pass or collide with.
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What do lower doses of ionising radiation tend to cause?
Minor damage without killing cells. Can give rise to mutant cells which divide uncontrollably - cancer.
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What can high doses of ionising radiation tend to do?
Kill cells completely, which causes radiation sickness if a lot of cells all get blasted at once.
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Which types of radiation are most dangerous outside the body?
Beta and gamma - can still get to delicate organs (pass through skin)
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Why is alpha not dangerous outside the body?
It can’t penetrate the skin
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Which source of radiation is most dangerous inside the body?
Alpha - do all their damage in a localised area, highly ionising.
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What sources of radiation are les dangerous inside the body?
Beta and gamma - less ionising, often pass straight out with very little damage
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What level of frequency do X-rays and gamma rays have?
High frequency
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What distance wavelength do X-rays and gamma rays have?
Short wavelength electromagnetic waves
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How are gamma rays made?
Released from some unstable atomic nuclei when they decay. No way to control when they are released.
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How are X-rays produced?
By firing high speed electrons at a heavy metal like tungsten. Much easier to control production of than gamma.
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What can X-rays pass easily through?
Flesh
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What can X-rays not pass easily through?
Thicker and denser material like bone or metal.
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What makes an X-ray image?
Varying amount of radiation that’s absorbed (denser materials absorb more X-rays)
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How is gamma used to treat cancer?
*Gamma focused on tumour using wide beam. *Beam rotated round patient - tumour at centre. *Minimises exposure of normal cells to radiation, reducing risk of damage to rest of body.
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What radiation can be used as medical tracers?
Radioactive isotopes that emit gamma (short half life - few hours)
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How can a patient be given a medical tracer?
Injected, drunk, eaten or ingested.
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How are medical tracers monitored?
Progress followed by radiation detector outside body.
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What is an example of a medical tracer?
Iodine-123 absorbed by thyroid gland and shows if thyroid is taking all iodine it should.
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Why must all isotopes in the body be beta or gamma?
Can penetrate tissue so are detectable outside. Can pass out easily.
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How can medical instruments be sterilised?
Exposing them to high dose of gamma radiation.
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Why does gamma radiation sterilise equipment?
It kills microbes
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What is the advantage of using radiation instead of water to sterilise equipment?
Doesn’t involve high temperatures. Plastic instruments can be sterilised without damaging them.
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How can radiation be used as tracers in industry?
Tracks movement of waste material to find route underground of pipes or detect leaks/blockages
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How is a leak detected using a radioactive tracer?
If detection of radioactivity stops/reduces must be a blockage/leak.
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What must the isotope be for industrial tracers?
Gamma emitters so it can be detected through metal/pipe. Needs short half life.
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Why does the industrial tracer need a short half life?
So it doesn’t cause a hazard if it collects somewhere. Doesn’t pollute water.
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What source is used in a smoke detector?
A weak alpha source close to two electrodes.
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How does a smoke alarm work?
In a fire, smoke particles are hit by alpha particles (less ionising of air) so current reduces, alarm sounds.
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How does background radiation come from radioactivity of naturally occurring unstable isotopes?
All around us. In air, food, building materials and rocks. Large proportion of background radiation comes from natural sources.
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How does background radiation come from space?
Known as cosmic rays. Come mostly from sun.
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How does background radiation come from human activity?
E.g. Fallout from nuclear explosions, waste from industry and hospitals. Represents a small proportion of total.
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How can the amount of background radiation vary?
Depending on where you are or job you have.
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What 3 ways do we receive background radiation?
Naturally occurring unstable isotopes. Space. Human activity.
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How can you work out the age of something using radioactive dating?
Measuring amount of radioactive isotope left in sample, and knowing its half life.
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What fraction of the carbon in the air does carbon-14 make up?
1/10,000,000 (one ten-millionth)
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What is the half life of carbon-14?
5730 years.
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What happens when carbon-14 isotopes die?
Stop exchanging gas with air outside atmosphere and is trapped inside. Gradually decays.
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How does uranium have a different half life?
Very long. Decay via series of short lived particles to produce stable isotopes of lead.
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What is produced after 1 half life of uranium?
50% uranium 50% lead
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What is produced after 2 half lives of uranium?
25% uranium 75% lead
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What is the ratio of uranium to lead after 2 half lives?
1:3
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What is the ratio of uranium to lead after 1 half life?
1:1
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What is the ratio of uranium to lead before a half life?
1:0
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What are nuclear power stations powered by?
Nuclear reactors
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What happens in a nuclear reactor?
Controlled chain reaction takes place - nuclear fission.
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What is nuclear fission?
Uranium/plutonium atoms split up - releasing energy as heat.
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What happens after a nuclear reactor?
Heat from fission is used to produce steam. Steam turns turbines which drive generator, producing electricity.
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What isotope is used in some nuclear reactors and bombs?
Uranium-235
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What is uranium-235 like?
Quite stable
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How do materials become radioactive?
When they absorb extra neutrons.
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How is uranium-235 made radioactive?
By firing slow moving neutrons at the U-235 atom.
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What does uranium-235 become to make it unstable?
Neutron joins, making it U-236 which is unstable.
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What happens to the U-236?
Splits into 2 smaller nuclei, releasing energy and producing radioactive waste.
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What does the split nucleus of U-236 also release?
2 or 3 fast moving neutrons which go on to produce a chain reaction.
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What happens to neutrons from previous fission reactions of U-235?
They are used to hit other U-235 atoms
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What is a nuclear bomb?
Chain reactions that are out of control.
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How is the chain reaction controlled in nuclear reactors?
Using control rods
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What are control rods usually made of?
Boron
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What do control rods do?
Limit the rate of fission by absorbing excess neutrons.
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What is nuclear fusion?
Two light nuclei combine to create a larger nucleus.
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What is the equation for two hydrogen isotopes combining to form helium?
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Where does all the energy released from stars come from?
Fusion at extremely high temperatures and pressures.
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What is good about nuclear fusion?
Doesn’t leave behind much radioactive waste and there is plenty of hydrogen available.
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What is the big problem with nuclear fusion?
Only happens at really high pressures and temperatures (about 10,000,000 degrees C). No material can withstand that, so reactors are difficult to build. Safety issues.
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Name an experimental fusion reactor…
JET (Joint European Torus)
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Why are no fusion reactors producing electricity yet?
It takes more power to get up to temperature than reactor can produce.
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Why is research into fusion being undertaken by international groups?
To share cost, expertise, experience and benefits (when problem solved)
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What happens in a fusion bomb?
(AKA H-Bomb) Fission reaction creates high temperatures needed for fusion reaction which follows.
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What does a new scientific theory have to go through before being accepted?
Validation Process
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What is ‘cold fusion’?
Nuclear fusion which occurs at room temperature.
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Why is cold fusion not accepted?
Data was shared so experiments could be repeated. Very few managed to reproduce results reliably - not realistic method of energy production.
P4 - Radiation for Life
From duster to rod
Which direction do electrons move when a polythene rod is rubbed with a duster?
P4 - Radiation for Life
From rod to duster
Which direction do electrons move when an acetate rod is rubbed with a duster?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Electrons moving
What is a static charge caused by?
P4 - Radiation for Life
It can suddenly move which can cause sparks or shocks that may be dangerous.
What happens if enough static charge builds up?
P4 - Radiation for Life
By connecting it to earth with a metal strap (earthing).
How can a charged conductor be discharged safely?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Electrons flow down strap to ground if charge is negative and flow up strap from ground if positive.
How does earthing work?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Atoms or molecules with a charge
What are ions?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Dust particles are charged and attract opposite charge. Objects in home are insulators (get easily charged) and attract dust.
How does static attract dust?
P4 - Radiation for Life
When synthetic clothes dragged (head or other clothes) electrons scrape off, leaving static charge - two attract. Little sparks/shocks as charges rearrange themselves.
How does static affect clothing?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Walking on nylon carpet with insulating soles builds up charge. Touching metal door handle/water pipe allows charge to flow via conductor - little shock.
What causes shocks from door handles?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Charge may become large enough to make a spark - dangerous near inflammable gases or fuel fumes.
How can static on clothing become dangerous?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Fuel flowing out of pipe, paper drags on rollers or grain shoots out of pipe, static builds up. If too big, might spark - explosion in dusty/fumey places (petrol station).
When can static become dangerous (other than on clothes)?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Areas with inflammable liquids or a high concentration of oxygen (hospital operating theatre)
What kind of places is static dangerous in?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Make surface of a charged object conductive - provides an easy path for charges to move away.
How do anti-static sprays work?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Prevent static electricity moving through them - stops human getting shocked.
How do insulating mats and shoes work?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Spray gun charged and object given opposite to attract. Paint drops repel each other (fine spray).
How do paint sprayers work?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Method gives even coat and hardly any paint wasted. No shadows - everywhere covered.
What is the good thing about electrostatic paint sprayers?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Smoke particles reach chimney bottom, meet wire grid/rods with high voltage and (-) charge. Dust particles gain electrons (become (-)) Dust particles induce charge on earthed metal plates Dust attracted to metal plates - stick forming larger particles When heavy enough, particles fall off/knocked off with hammer Falls and is removed
How do dust precipitators work?
P4 - Radiation for Life
2 paddles to power supply: Paddles firmly on chest (good electrical contact) and charged up Everyone moves away - operator holds insulated handles Charge passes through paddles to patient - heart contracts.
How does a defibrillator work?
P4 - Radiation for Life
more current will flow
If you increase the voltage….
P4 - Radiation for Life
less current will flow (or more voltage is needed to keep same current flowing)
If you increase the resistance…
P4 - Radiation for Life
As long as there is a complete loop - broke circuit means no current.
Current only flows when?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Carries voltage. Alternates between a high + and - voltage of about 230V
What does the live wire do?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Brown
What colour is the live wire?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Works together with fuse for safety
What does the earth wire do?
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Completes tcircuit - electricity flows out through neutral - always at 0V.
What does the neutral wire do?
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Blue
What colour is the neutral wire?
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Green and yellow
What colour is the earth wire?
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earthed
What must all appliances with metal cases be?
P4 - Radiation for Life
If appliance has casing that is non-conductive (e.g. plastic) - doesn’t need earthing (never live)
What does double insulated mean?
P4 - Radiation for Life
A big current flows through live wire. Surge blows fuse and causes wire inside to melt. Cuts off live supply by breaking circuit.
What happens is a fault develops where the live wire touches the metal case?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Electric shocks by isolating appliance. Stops flex overheating which may cause fire. Prevent further damage to appliance.
When the fuse blows, what does this prevent?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Works like a fuse but can be reset and used again.
What is a circuit breaker?
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As near as possible but just higher than normal operating current.
How should fuses be rated?
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3A, 5A and 13A
What are the fixed fuse ratings?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Rheostat - resistor whose resistance can be changed by turning a knob.
What is a variable resistor?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Alternating the current flowing through a circuit. Turn up resistance, current drops (vice versa).
What are variable resistors good for?
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Electric charge has less space to move through.
Why do thinner wires increase resistance?
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Steady - at a constant temperature
What is the resistance of a fixed resistor like?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Voltage / current
How is resistance calculated?
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In series with other components
How is the ammeter set up in a circuit to measure resistance?
P4 - Radiation for Life
In parallel around component being tested.
How is the voltmeter placed in a circuit to measure resistance?
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Potential difference
What is the official name for voltage around a test circuit?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Parts of a wave under high pressure (lots of particles)
What are compressions?
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Parts under low pressure (fewer particles)
What are rarefactions in a wave?
P4 - Radiation for Life
A full cycle of a wave from crest to crest/compression to compression
What is wavelength?
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How many complete waves there are per second passing a certain point. Measured in hertz. Sound - high frequency=high pitch
What is frequency?
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Measured from rest position to crest. Tells you how much energy wave is carrying, or how loud it is.
What is amplitude?
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Vibrations are along same direction as wave is travelling
How does a longitudinal wave move?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Vibrations are at 90 degrees to direction of travel of the wave
How does a transverse wave move?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Electric devices can be made which produce electrical oscillations of any frequency. Easily converted into mechanical vibrations to produce longitudinal waves beyond range of human hearing.
What is ultrasound?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Removing kidney stones. High energy of ultrasound at stone turns it into sand like particles. Particles pass out of body in urine. Doesn’t need surgery and painless.
How does ultrasound work when breaking down accumulation in the body?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Waves pass through body but are reflected back when they meet a boundary between two different media. Echoes are processed by computer to produce video image.
How does ultrasound work in body scanning?
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Ultrasound is great for imaging soft tissue. Safer doesn’t damage cells.
What advantages does ultrasound have?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Better for viewing bone. Can damage living cells by being ionising radiation, causing cancer at high doses.
What do X-rays do compared to ultrasound?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Atoms with unstable nuclei that naturally decay at random
What are radioactive materials made up of?
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Give out alpha, beta and gamma. Nucleus often changes into new element.
What happens as radioactive material decays?
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Top number = number of protons and neutrons (AKA mass number)
What is the relative atomic mass number?
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Number of protons
What is the atomic number?
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Atoms of same element with different mass numbers
What is an isotope?
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After alpha and beta, if nucleus has extra energy to get rid of. Emits gamma ray that has no mass or charge - atomic and mass number don’t change.
When does gamma radiation happen in decay?
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Helium nucleus of two protons and two neutrons
What is an alpha particle?
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+2
What charge does an alpha particle have?
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4
What mass does an alpha particle have?
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Decreases by 4 because it loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons
What happens to the mass number when a nucleus emits an alpha particle?
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Decreases by 2 because it has 2 less protons
What happens to the atomic number when the nucleus emits an alpha particle?
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Fast moving electron
What is a beta particle?
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-1
What charge does a beta particle have?
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0
What mass does a beta particle have?
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Doesn’t change - lost a neutron but gained a proton
What happens to the mass number when a nucleus emits a beta particle?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Increases by 1 - has 1 more proton
What happens to the atomic number when a nucleus emits a beta particle?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Radioactivity of the source as whole decreases - older a resource, less radiation emitted.
What happens as more unstable nuclei decay?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Activity never reaches 0
What is the problem with trying to measure how quickly radioactive material decays?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei now present to decay.
What is the definition of half life?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Activity falls quickly because lots of nuclei decay in a short time.
What does a short half life mean?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Activity falls slowly, because most of nuclei doesn’t decay for a long time.
What does a long half life mean?
P4 - Radiation for Life
When some materials absorb ionising radiation - can enter living cells and interact with molecules.
What causes ionisation?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Charged particles called ions
What does ionisation produce?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Ionising radiation
What is nuclear radiation and X-rays types of?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Transfer energy to electrons. Electrons then have enough energy to escape from atom, ionising it and leaving it positively charged.
What can X-rays and gamma rays do to electrons?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Remove electrons from atom/molecule leaving them positively charged.
What can beta particles do to electrons?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Ionises it making it negatively charged.
What happens if a beta particle sticks to an atom?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Remove electrons, making atom positive.
What can alpha particles do to electrons in an atom?
P4 - Radiation for Life
- Relatively large - easy to collide with atoms or molecules 2. Highly charged - easily remove electrons from atoms they pass or collide with.
Why are alpha particles good ionisers?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Minor damage without killing cells. Can give rise to mutant cells which divide uncontrollably - cancer.
What do lower doses of ionising radiation tend to cause?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Kill cells completely, which causes radiation sickness if a lot of cells all get blasted at once.
What can high doses of ionising radiation tend to do?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Beta and gamma - can still get to delicate organs (pass through skin)
Which types of radiation are most dangerous outside the body?
P4 - Radiation for Life
It can’t penetrate the skin
Why is alpha not dangerous outside the body?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Alpha - do all their damage in a localised area, highly ionising.
Which source of radiation is most dangerous inside the body?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Beta and gamma - less ionising, often pass straight out with very little damage
What sources of radiation are les dangerous inside the body?
P4 - Radiation for Life
High frequency
What level of frequency do X-rays and gamma rays have?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Short wavelength electromagnetic waves
What distance wavelength do X-rays and gamma rays have?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Released from some unstable atomic nuclei when they decay. No way to control when they are released.
How are gamma rays made?
P4 - Radiation for Life
By firing high speed electrons at a heavy metal like tungsten. Much easier to control production of than gamma.
How are X-rays produced?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Flesh
What can X-rays pass easily through?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Thicker and denser material like bone or metal.
What can X-rays not pass easily through?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Varying amount of radiation that’s absorbed (denser materials absorb more X-rays)
What makes an X-ray image?
P4 - Radiation for Life
*Gamma focused on tumour using wide beam. *Beam rotated round patient - tumour at centre. *Minimises exposure of normal cells to radiation, reducing risk of damage to rest of body.
How is gamma used to treat cancer?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Radioactive isotopes that emit gamma (short half life - few hours)
What radiation can be used as medical tracers?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Injected, drunk, eaten or ingested.
How can a patient be given a medical tracer?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Progress followed by radiation detector outside body.
How are medical tracers monitored?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Iodine-123 absorbed by thyroid gland and shows if thyroid is taking all iodine it should.
What is an example of a medical tracer?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Can penetrate tissue so are detectable outside. Can pass out easily.
Why must all isotopes in the body be beta or gamma?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Exposing them to high dose of gamma radiation.
How can medical instruments be sterilised?
P4 - Radiation for Life
It kills microbes
Why does gamma radiation sterilise equipment?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Doesn’t involve high temperatures. Plastic instruments can be sterilised without damaging them.
What is the advantage of using radiation instead of water to sterilise equipment?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Tracks movement of waste material to find route underground of pipes or detect leaks/blockages
How can radiation be used as tracers in industry?
P4 - Radiation for Life
If detection of radioactivity stops/reduces must be a blockage/leak.
How is a leak detected using a radioactive tracer?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Gamma emitters so it can be detected through metal/pipe. Needs short half life.
What must the isotope be for industrial tracers?
P4 - Radiation for Life
So it doesn’t cause a hazard if it collects somewhere. Doesn’t pollute water.
Why does the industrial tracer need a short half life?
P4 - Radiation for Life
A weak alpha source close to two electrodes.
What source is used in a smoke detector?
P4 - Radiation for Life
In a fire, smoke particles are hit by alpha particles (less ionising of air) so current reduces, alarm sounds.
How does a smoke alarm work?
P4 - Radiation for Life
All around us. In air, food, building materials and rocks. Large proportion of background radiation comes from natural sources.
How does background radiation come from radioactivity of naturally occurring unstable isotopes?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Known as cosmic rays. Come mostly from sun.
How does background radiation come from space?
P4 - Radiation for Life
E.g. Fallout from nuclear explosions, waste from industry and hospitals. Represents a small proportion of total.
How does background radiation come from human activity?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Depending on where you are or job you have.
How can the amount of background radiation vary?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Naturally occurring unstable isotopes. Space. Human activity.
What 3 ways do we receive background radiation?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Measuring amount of radioactive isotope left in sample, and knowing its half life.
How can you work out the age of something using radioactive dating?
P4 - Radiation for Life
1/10,000,000 (one ten-millionth)
What fraction of the carbon in the air does carbon-14 make up?
P4 - Radiation for Life
5730 years.
What is the half life of carbon-14?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Stop exchanging gas with air outside atmosphere and is trapped inside. Gradually decays.
What happens when carbon-14 isotopes die?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Very long. Decay via series of short lived particles to produce stable isotopes of lead.
How does uranium have a different half life?
P4 - Radiation for Life
50% uranium 50% lead
What is produced after 1 half life of uranium?
P4 - Radiation for Life
25% uranium 75% lead
What is produced after 2 half lives of uranium?
P4 - Radiation for Life
1:3
What is the ratio of uranium to lead after 2 half lives?
P4 - Radiation for Life
1:1
What is the ratio of uranium to lead after 1 half life?
P4 - Radiation for Life
1:0
What is the ratio of uranium to lead before a half life?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Nuclear reactors
What are nuclear power stations powered by?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Controlled chain reaction takes place - nuclear fission.
What happens in a nuclear reactor?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Uranium/plutonium atoms split up - releasing energy as heat.
What is nuclear fission?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Heat from fission is used to produce steam. Steam turns turbines which drive generator, producing electricity.
What happens after a nuclear reactor?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Uranium-235
What isotope is used in some nuclear reactors and bombs?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Quite stable
What is uranium-235 like?
P4 - Radiation for Life
When they absorb extra neutrons.
How do materials become radioactive?
P4 - Radiation for Life
By firing slow moving neutrons at the U-235 atom.
How is uranium-235 made radioactive?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Neutron joins, making it U-236 which is unstable.
What does uranium-235 become to make it unstable?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Splits into 2 smaller nuclei, releasing energy and producing radioactive waste.
What happens to the U-236?
P4 - Radiation for Life
2 or 3 fast moving neutrons which go on to produce a chain reaction.
What does the split nucleus of U-236 also release?
P4 - Radiation for Life
They are used to hit other U-235 atoms
What happens to neutrons from previous fission reactions of U-235?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Chain reactions that are out of control.
What is a nuclear bomb?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Using control rods
How is the chain reaction controlled in nuclear reactors?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Boron
What are control rods usually made of?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Limit the rate of fission by absorbing excess neutrons.
What do control rods do?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Two light nuclei combine to create a larger nucleus.
What is nuclear fusion?
What is the equation for two hydrogen isotopes combining to form helium?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Fusion at extremely high temperatures and pressures.
Where does all the energy released from stars come from?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Doesn’t leave behind much radioactive waste and there is plenty of hydrogen available.
What is good about nuclear fusion?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Only happens at really high pressures and temperatures (about 10,000,000 degrees C). No material can withstand that, so reactors are difficult to build. Safety issues.
What is the big problem with nuclear fusion?
P4 - Radiation for Life
JET (Joint European Torus)
Name an experimental fusion reactor…
P4 - Radiation for Life
It takes more power to get up to temperature than reactor can produce.
Why are no fusion reactors producing electricity yet?
P4 - Radiation for Life
To share cost, expertise, experience and benefits (when problem solved)
Why is research into fusion being undertaken by international groups?
P4 - Radiation for Life
(AKA H-Bomb) Fission reaction creates high temperatures needed for fusion reaction which follows.
What happens in a fusion bomb?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Validation Process
What does a new scientific theory have to go through before being accepted?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Nuclear fusion which occurs at room temperature.
What is ‘cold fusion’?
P4 - Radiation for Life
Data was shared so experiments could be repeated. Very few managed to reproduce results reliably - not realistic method of energy production.
Why is cold fusion not accepted?