Particles Flashcards
Alpha decay
The process of an unstable nucleus emitting an alpha particle to become more stable. Usually in nuclei that have too much mass.
Annihilation
The process of a particle and antiparticle colliding and being converted into energy. The energy is released in two photons moving in opposite directions to conserve momentum. The rest mass energy of the particle and antiparticle pair is converted into energy of the photons. Need to show particles convert to 2 photons of equal energy and the relationship, E=hf
Antiparticle
All particles have a corresponding antiparticle with the same mass but opposite charge and conservation numbers.
Baryon number
quantum number that is conserved in all particle interactions.
Baryons have a baryon number of +1 and non-baryons have a baryon number of 0.
Beta-Minus Decay
The process of a neutron inside a nucleus turning into a
proton, and emitting a beta-minus particle (an electron) and a antineutrino.
Beta-Plus Decay
The process of a proton inside a nucleus turning into a
neutron, and emitting a beta-plus particle (a positron) and a neutrino.
Electron Diffraction
The spreading of electrons as they pass through a gap
similar to the magnitude of their de Broglie wavelength. It is evidence of the
wave-like properties of particles.
Electron-volt (eV)
The work done to accelerate an electron through a potential difference of 1V. 1eV is equal to the charge of an electron (E=qv).
Energy Levels
Defined and distinct energies at which electrons can exist in an
atom. An electron cannot exist between energy levels.
Excitation
The process of an electron taking in exactly the right quantity of
energy to move to a higher energy level.
Gauge Boson
The exchange particles that transmit the four fundamental
interactions between particles.
Ground State
The most stable energy level that an electron can exist in.
Hadrons
A class of subatomic particle that experiences the strong nuclear
interaction.
Ionisation
The process of an atom losing an orbital electron and becoming
charged.
Isotope:
Same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Isotopic Data
Data from isotopes that can be used for a purpose, such as carbon dating.
Kaon
A type of meson that decays into pions.
Lepton Number
A quantum number that is conserved in all particle interactions. Both electron lepton numbers and muon lepton numbers must be conserved
Lepton
A group of elementary subatomic particles, consisting of electrons,
muons and neutrinos.
Meson
A class of hadron that is made up of a quark and antiquark pair.
Muon
A type of lepton that decays into electrons.
Neutrino
A subatomic particle whose existence was hypothesised to maintain the conservation of energy in beta decay
Nucleon Number (A)
The sum of the number of protons and neutrons in a given nucleus.
Nucleon
A proton or neutron
