Particles And Radiation Flashcards
What is a nucleon?
A nucleon is a neutron or proton in the nucleus
What is the mass of a proton or neutron
- 27
1. 67 x 10 Kg
What is the charge of a proton?
-19
+1.6 x 10 C
What is the mass of an electron?
- 31
9. 11 x 10 Kg
What is the charge of an electron?
- 19
- 1.6 x 10 C
What is an isotope?
Isotopes are atoms with the same amount of protons but a different amount of neutrons
What is the nucleon number?
The total number of protons and neutrons in the atom
What is the proton number?
The total number of protons in the atom
What is a nuclide?
A nuclide is each different type of nucleus an element can have eg carbon-12 , carbon -14
What is specific charge?
The specific charge of a charged particle is defined as its charge divided by its mass
What force is responsible for preventing atoms from disintegrating?
The strong nuclear force as it overcomes the electrostatic forces of repulsion between protons in the nucleus.
Is the strong nuclear force an attracting or repulsive force?
It’s both at distances of 3-4 femtometres it is an attractive force to overcome the electrostatic forces of repulsion between protons in the nucleus. However at distances below 0.5 fm it is a repulsive force to prevent protons and neutrons squashing each other.
What is an alpha particle?
An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
What is a beta particle?
A beta particle is a fast moving electron
What is alpha radiation?
The emission of alpha particles from a radioactive substance, it has the general equation:
A A-4 4
X ——> Y + a
Z Z-2 2
What is beta radiation?
Beta radiation is the emission of a fast moving electron from an unstable nucleus, it has the general equation:
A
X
A
What is gamma radiation?
Gamma radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted by an unstable nucleus, it has no mass or charge and can pass through thick metal plates. It is emitted by a nucleus with too much energy following alpha or beta decay.
What is the speed of light?
8
3 x 10 m/s
What do electromagnetic waves consist of?
Electromagnetic waves consist of a magnetic and electrical wave travelling together and vibrate at right angles to each other and the direction they are travelling. They also travel in phase with each other as they both reach their peaks at the same time.
What is the wavelength range of gamma waves?
< 0.1 no