P6.1 Flashcards
What are atomic nuclei composed of
They are composed of both protons and neutrons
What is the charge of the nucleus of an element
Positive
What does the charge of the nucleus depend on
The number of protons
Why do the nuclei of different elements have different masses
Same number of protons
Different number of neutrons
What is an isotope
Atom of the same element with same atomic number but different mass number as different amount of neutrons
How can atoms of the same element differ in mass
They are isotopes so have a different number of neutrons but same number of protons
What format is carbon with 11 subatomic particles written in, and how many neutrons and protons does it have?
Carbon -11 Mass number (total protons and neutrons nucleus) - atomic number (no of protons or no of e-) So 12 - 6 = 5 there are 5 neutrons
What does a stable atom mean
They donβt break down or decay
What do the unstable nucleus of atoms emit
They emit radiation, which can be made up of particles or waves
What are materials that emit radiation called
Radioactive
What are the 4 types of radiation emitted by an unstable nuclei
Alpha - particle - a - itβs the nucleus of a helium atom - 4 2 He
Beta- particle - B - itβs a fast moving electron - 0 -1e
Gamma- wave - upside down Y- a wave of the EM spectrum - no equation
Neutron - particle- n - itβs a particles in the nucleus - 1 0 n
What do the bottom and top numbers of equations show
Top = mass relative to proton Bottom = charge
Where do beta particles come from as a nucleus doesnβt have electrons?
Neutrons are not stable so they can decay to make a proton and electron
How can you detect radiation?
Geiger MΓΌller tube pr Geiger counter - clicks when radiation enters it ( each click = tiny current produced when the radiation ionises atoms f the gas inside the tube)
What are the penetrating powers of alpha, beta and gamma?
Alpha stops with paper or skin
Beta travels through paper and stole by aluminium
Gamma travels through paper and aluminium and stops mostly by lead but some may still go through
(Most penetrating power)
What is the radiation emitted by a radioactive material called
Ionising radiation = this means that the radiation can remove e- from atoms to produce positively charged ions
Describe the property of radiation of alpha, beta and gamma
Alpha - large relative mass - +2 charge - high ionising power - short range
Beta - small relative mass - -1 charge - medium ionising power - medium range
Game - no relative mass - no charge - low ionising power - long range
What needs to be done to ionise an atom
Energy needs to be transferred to it
Why does alpha radiation have a short range?
Alpha particles transfer more energy to the material they travel through than gamma rays as they have a higher ionising power. This means that they used their energy to ionise the materials they have come in contact with, meaning they have a shorter range,
What range are the radiation the most dangerous at ?
- short range alpha
- mid range beta
- long range gamma
Name 3 isotopes of hydrogen
Protium - 1 proton and 0 neutron (used in fuel cells and making plastics) - most common
Deuterium- 1 proton and 1 neutrons ( used in nuclear fusion) -very few
Tritium - 1 proton and 2 neutrons ( use pd in thermonuclear fusion weapons) - very rare
What happens in alpha decay?
Ξ±
An alpha particle is emitted which is made of 2 neutrons and 2 protons
Therefore, the top number -4
bottom number - 2 (charge of proton is +2)
Mass and charge is conserved
What happens in beta decay?
Ξ²
A neutron decays into a proton and an electron
Top number is the same as we lose a neutron and gain a proton and electron
Bottom number +1 as you gain a proton
What happens in gamma decay?
Ξ³
Gamma rays donβt have mass or charge as itβs an EM wave
Therefore there is no change to the mass and atomic number
What happens in neutron decay?
Neutron decay happens in the decay of some nuclei when they emit a neutron.
Top number -1 as one neutron emitted
Bottom number is same as there is no change in charge but the nucleus is more stable
How do materials emit radiation ?
Materials emit radiation at random