Ability to change a neutral atom --> positive ion Only by knocking an electron out of its shell Dangerous as it causes cancer (affects DNA too)

PHYSICS - Types of Radiation Flashcards by AceFlare .

Look at pages 1-3

That makes so much sense now

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What is radioactivity?

Radiation emitted from the nucleus of certain atoms

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How can you tell if a nucleus is stable?

Depends if the number of protons and neutrons are balanced

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What are isotopes?

Atoms of the same element, same atomic number but different nucleon number

(Same number of protons, different number of neutrons)

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How does an unstable nucleus become stable?

Gives off radiation

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What are the 3 types of radiation?

Alpha radiation
Beta radiation
Gamma radiation

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What is alpha radiation?

Helium nuclei

They got 2 protons & neutrons
+2 charge
Mass of 4
Slow

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What is beta radiation?

Fast moving electron

In nucleus, neutron changes into proton & electron, electron ejected from nucleus
Relative negative charge of -1
Mass of 1/2000
1.5x10^8 fast

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What is gamma radiation?

Electromagnetic wave

0 charge & mass
Short wavelength & high frequency wave
Very energetic wave due to frequency
Travels at speed of light (3x10^8 n/s faster)
Emits from nucleus due to too much energy

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What is ionisation?

Ability to change a neutral atom –> positive ion
Only by knocking an electron out of its shell
Dangerous as it causes cancer (affects DNA too)

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What stops alpha?

Paper

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What stops beta?

mm’s of Aluminium

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What stops gamma?

cm’s of Lead

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Order the 3 radiations from most penetrating to least

Gamma
Beta
Alpha

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Order the 3 radiations from most ionising to least

Alpha
Beta
Gamma

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Whats a geiger muller counter/tube?

Device that produces click sounds when ionisation takes place

3 ways of minimising dose from radioactive source

Use tweezer
Use perspex screen for shielding (only affective against beta)
Minimise outside time of source

Where should radioactive sources be kept when unused

Lead-lined box

Explain how dose received depends on distance

Further away you go, smaller the dose

Set up instructions on how to find out which source is which if their labels are removed ¯_(ツ)_/¯

1) Get geiger muller counter/tube & paper
2) Place sources at suitable place and counter to get original count
3) Place paper in between sources and counter
4) Record readings
5) I mean u meant to learn what stops the radiations so yeah…

Name 8 sources of low-level background radiation

just list 3

Cosmic rays (from space)
Food and drink
Medical?
Air travels
Ground and buildings
Radon? (biggest contributor to bg radiation)
Nuclear weapons testing
Nuclear power

Name 4 natural background radiation sources

Cosmic rays
Food and drink
Radon gas
Ground and buildings

Name 2 man made background radiation sources

Nuclear waste & Medical

Why is it not possible to predict when an unstable nucleus decays?

Decay is random

When calculating radiation emitted from a substance, what else do we have to be aware of?

Background radiation

1) What does it mean if its "corrected for background radiation"? 2) Why is it done? 3) What is background radiation & name 1

1) They gain the radiation from substance and remove "background radiation" included. 2) To gain real amount of radiation from substance 3) Radiation from environment, [you should know this]

Where is radon produced? Why is it a health hazard?

* Inside volcanic rocks due to naturally occurring radioactive uranium disintegrating and forming radium * Natural occurring radioactive uranium disintegrates * Forms radium (radioactive) * Also disintegrates forming radon * It's a gas emitting alpha particles

Disadvantage of nuclear powerstations

Production of nuclear waste

Name 5 methods of storing nuclear waste, advantages & disadvantages s'pose u just list 2

1) Send into space A: Long distance D: Expensive 2) Dump out to sea A: Cheap D: Bioaccumulation 3) Leave it where it is A: Free, easy D: Terrorist risk & health risks 4) Leave it on a remote island A: Distance D: Bioaccumulation 5) Bury it underground A: Cannot leave D: Geologic faults (may get in water)

Why should radioactive waste be monitored?

Lasts for thousands of years, still emitting radiation

How can you tell its an alpha decay?

Loss of 2 protons & neutrons (look at p. 28)

How can you tell its a beta decay?

Loss of a fast-moving electron when a neutron changes into a proton (look at p.28) basically add a -1 on atomic number ig

How can you tell its a gamma decay?

You can't idiot, doesn't give off any particles

I recommend you just look at pages 28 and above

You actually right what the hell