Physics Flashcards
what are the three types of nuclear radiation in order?
Alpha, beta, Gamma
describe alpha radiation
has the highest ionization ability, but the lowest penetrating which makes it safer. it happens when a nucleus loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
describe beta radiation
its ionization and penration are both in the middle. a beta particle is an electron.
describe gamma radiation
a gamma ray is a high energy photon. has the lowest ionization ability, but the highest penetrating, making it very dangerous.
what is radioactive decay
when unstable atoms deacy, they give off radiation. the atoms decay in order to become an element with a stable nucleus
what is nuclear fission
when atoms are split apart. a neutron hits a uranium atom, splitting it which releases more neutrons creating a chain reaction.
nuclear power plants?
a power plant that generates electricity using heat from nuclear reactions, which heats water and the steam makes a turbine move.
what are the advantages of nuclear power?
cheap to run once built, conserves fossil fuels, no sulfur/carbon dioxide emissions, safe normally.
what are the disadvantages of nuclear power?
expensive to build, non-renewable, produces radioactive waste, risk of disaster.
how does a nuclear reactor work?
what is beta negative decay?
It releases 1 high energy electron. for the equation, its +1 proton, -1 neutron, -1 electron.
what is alpha decay?
alpha decay releaes 2 protons and 2 neutrons, (1 alpha particle). -2 protons, -2 neutrons. when alpha decay occurs, the atom goes through transmutation.
what is gamma ray decay?
it releases 1 high energy photon. the nucleus goes from excited to ground state.
what is half-life
the rate of radioactive decay can be measured by half-life.Half-life is the time it takes for half of the unstable nuclei to decay by emitting radiation.
equation for half-life?
N(t)=N0(1/2)^t/t1/2
what are the effects of radiation exposure on humans?
increases risk of skin cancer,
