P7 Radioactivity Flashcards
what is nucleus fusion
the fusing of 2 small nuclei into one large nuclei releasing energy
what is nuclear fission
1 neutron colliding with a nucleus causing the release of 2-3 neutrons to collide with other nuclei
releases energy
is nuclear fusion a controlled or uncontrolled reaction
controlled, if it gets out of control/too hot itll stop
is nuclear fission a controlled or uncontrolled reaction
uncontrolled
if it gets out of control it will not stop, it’ll just keep going
what type of nuclear reaction do we use for nuclear energy
nuclear fission
what’s an alpha particles relative mass and atomic number/number of protons
it’s relative mass is 4
it’s atomic number is 2
what elements nucleus is an alpha particle identical too
a helium nucleus
what is the relative mass of a beta particle and what’s its charge
it’s mass is effectively zero
it’s charge is -1
what is gamma radiation
it’s electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus of an atom
how is a beta formed
it’s an electron created and emitted by a nucleus that has too many neutrons
what type of radiation has the highest ionising power
alpha
what type of radiation has the highest penetrating power
gamma radiation
