Particles (AS) Flashcards
For what range is the strong nuclear force positive?
0.5fm - 3fm
Why is the strong nuclear force repulsive at very small separations?
So that the nucleus doesn’t merge into a single point.
When does α (alpha) decay occur?
In very big/heavy nuclei.
What is an α particle made of?
Two neutrons and two protons.
When does β minus decay occur?
Neutron-rich nuclei.
What happens in β minus decay?
A neutron is changed into a proton.
(Nucleon number stays the same, proton number increases by 1).
A β minus particle is released.
An electron antineutrino is released.
When does β plus decay occur?
Proton-rich nuclei.
What happens in β plus decay?
A proton is changed into a neutron.
(Nucleon number stays the same, proton number decreases by 1).
A β plus particle is released.
An electron neutrino is released.
Neutrinos were first hypothesised due to observations of ______ _____. The energy of the particles was _____ than it was before, which didn’t fit with the principle of conservation of ______. Another particle had to carry away some of the missing energy.
Neutrinos were first hypothesised due to observations of (beta decay). The energy of the particles was (less) than it was before, which didn’t fit with the principle of conservation of (energy). Another particle had to carry away some of the missing energy.
All living things contain the same percentage of radioactive ______ taken in from the atmosphere.
After they die, the amount of ______ inside them ______over time as it decays to stable elemets.
Scientists can calculate the approximate age of dead organic matter by using the ______ data to find the percentage of ______ that’s left in the object.
All living things contain the same percentage of radioactive (carbon-14) taken in from the atmosphere.
After they die, the amount of (carbon-14) inside them (decreases) over time as it decays to stable elemets.
Scientists can calculate the approximate age of dead organic matter by using the (isotopic) data to find the percentage of (carbon-14) that’s left in the object.
Why might carbon dating not be reliable in the future?
Ratio of carbon-12 to carbon-14 altered by humans (burning fossil fuels -> more c-12, radioactive weapons -> more c-14).
What are photons?
Packets of electromagnetic radiation.
What is pair production?
If a photon has enough energy, it can convert itself into a particle-antiparticle pair.
What is the minimum energy for a photon to undergo pair production?
The minimum energy for a photon to undergo pair production is the total rest energy of the particles produced.
E(min) = hf(min) = 2Eo
Where Eo is rest energy.
What is annihiliation?
When a particle meets its antiparticle, all of the mass of the particle and antiparticle gets converted back to energy in the form of gamma ray photons.
What is the minimum energy for annihiliation to occur?
When a particle and anti particle meet, they annihilate, producing TWO photons.
For annihilation to occur, BOTH photons need to have a minimum energy, E(min), which added together equals at least 2Eo for energy to be conserved.
So, 2E(min) = 2Eo
and: E(min) = hf(min) = Eo
Name the four fundamental forces.
Gravity
Electromagnetic force
Weak force
Strong force
What is the exchange particle (or gauge boson) for the electromagnetic force?
Virtual photon, γ
What is the exchange particle (or gauge boson) for the weak force?
W+, W-
What is the exchange particle (or gauge boson) for the strong force?
Pions (π0, π+, π-)
Which particles does the electromagnetic force affect?
Charged particles only.
Which particles does the weak force affect?
All types.