P6.2 Uses And Hazards Flashcards

1
Q

Radioactive contamination

A

Presence of unwanted radioactive nuclei on other materials

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2
Q

Irradiation

A

Process of exposing a material to nuclear radiation
Material does not become radioactive

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3
Q

3 practical applications of radioactive materials

A

Medical tracers
Radiotherapy
Smoke alarms

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4
Q

What kind of radiation is used in smoke detectors

A

Alpha radiation

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5
Q

How do smoke alarms work

A

Alpha radiation is emitted into the air, reaching a detector and completing the circuit
If smoke is present, it blocks alpha radiation so it does not reach the detector and the circuit is broken, causing the alarm to sound

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6
Q

Give a use of beta emitters

A

Thickness monitoring of paper

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7
Q

How does thickness monitoring work

A

A source and receiver are placed on either side of the sheet
If there is a drop or rise in the number of particles detected, the thickness has changed and needs adjusting

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8
Q

Why are isotopes with long half-lives particularly harmful

A

They remain radioactive for much longer periods of time
They must be stored in specific ways to avoid humans and the environment from being exposed to radiation for too long

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9
Q

2 uses of nuclear radiation in the field of medicine

A

Examining of internal organs
Controlling and destroying unwanted tissue

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10
Q

How is radiation used in sterilisation

A

Gamma emitters are used to kill bacteria/parasites on equipment

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11
Q

What kind of radiation is used for radiotherapy

A

Gamma radiation

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12
Q

Explain the process of chemotherapy

A

Gamma emitters direct gamma rays onto specific areas with cancerous cells
The cells absorb the radiation and die

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13
Q

What are the risks of ionising radiation to people

A

It can damage living cells, causing them to die or mutate and become cancerous

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14
Q

What is nuclear fusion

A

Joining of two light nuclei to produce a heavier nuclei and release energy

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15
Q

Name two isotopes of hydrogen which are commonly used in nuclear fusion

A

Deuterium and Tritium

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16
Q

Which releases more energy, nuclear fission or nuclear fusion

A

Nuclear fusion

17
Q

Explain the difficulty of generating energy through nuclear fusion

A

Fusion requires very high temperatures which in itself requires large quantities of energy and also requires casing which can withstand them

18
Q

What can mass be converted into

A

Energy

19
Q

Nuclear fission

A

Splitting of large, unstable nuclei to form smaller more stable nuclei (+the emission of spare neutrons)

20
Q

What usually needs to happen to induce fission

A

The unstable nuclei must absorb a neutron
Spontaneous fission (where no neutron absorption occurs) is rare

21
Q

Alongside two smaller nuclei, what else is emitted in a fission reaction

A

Two or three neutrons
Gamma rays
Energy

22
Q

What takes place during a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor

A

An unstable nucleus absorbs a neutron
This nucleus undergoes fission and releases 2 or 3 further neutrons
These induce more fission, which results in a chain reaction