Production, Uses And Risks Of Ionising Radiation From Radioactive Sources

Question 1

What happens in beta plus decay

Answer 1

A proton becomes a neutron and a positron. Proton number decreases by 1

Question 2

What happens in beta - decay

Answer 2

Neutron becomes a proton and an electron. Proton number increases by 1

Question 3

What is an alpha particle

Answer 3

A helium nucleus made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons

Question 4

Why is alpha radiation more ionising than beta

Answer 4

They are way bigger so have a lot more kinetic energy which can easily dislodge electrons from of the atoms they collide with

Question 5

How does alpha radiation affect the atom it came from

Answer 5

It decreases proton number by 2 so changes element and decreases masss number by 4

Question 6

What effect does gamma radiation have on the particle it was released from and what doesn’t it effect

Answer 6

As it’s a ray it has no charge or mass so proton and mass numbers stay the same. The atom becomes more stable as gamma radiation means the atom loses energy so it becomes more stable

Question 7

Properties of neutron decay

Answer 7

Have no charge so not directly ionising

As penetrating as gamma rays

Question 8

How is an electron, alpha particle, positron and gamma ray represented in equations

Answer 8

Electron =0
                 -1 e
Alpha particle 4
                          2 He
Positron 0
               \+1 e
Gamma ray 0
                      0 y

Question 9

What are isotopes of an element

Answer 9

Same protons but different number of neutrons

Question 10

What does it mean to be stable

Answer 10

The isotope won’t decay and will stay in its arrangement indefinitely

Question 11

What are the two lines on the stability curve

Answer 11

The n z line where protons are equal to neutrons and the stability curve who ere stable isotopes are

Question 12

What kind of atom is more likely to undergo alpha radiation and where are they found on the stability graph and why

Answer 12

Heavy elements and too right. They undergo alpha as it quickly reduces their mass so they can become more stable

Question 13

Whatradiarion is an element above the curve most likely to undergo

Answer 13

Beta minus as it want to increase protons to get closer to curve

Question 14

What radiation is an element under the curve likely to undergo

Answer 14

Beta plus decay as it needs more neutrons and less protons

Question 15

What is the relative mass of an electron

Answer 15

1/1837

Question 16

What makes an ion positive or negative

Answer 16

Negative if it gains an electron, positive if it loses one

Question 17

What are quarks

Answer 17

Tiny objects that make protons and neutrons

Question 18

What are the mass and charge of an up and down quark

Answer 18

Up, mass = 1/3 charge = +2/3

Down, mass = 1/3 charge = -1/3

Question 19

What arrangement of quarks does a proton and neutron have

Answer 19

Proton, 2 up 1 down so charge = 1

Neutron, 2 down, 1 up so charge = 0

Question 20

How can quarks allow protons and neutrons to become each other

Answer 20

Quarks can change into each other.

Question 21

What happens to quarks in beta + and - decay

Answer 21

Beta +, 1 up quark become a down quark so charge = 0

Beta -, 1 down quark becomes an up quark so charge = 1

Question 22

How can radiation cause cancer

Answer 22

Cause mutions (changes) in the structure of the DNA of a cell which may cause it to grow uncontrollably into cancer.

Question 23

What kind of burns do beta decay and gamma rays make

Answer 23

Beta burns, look similar to sun burn, usually on surface if skin
Gamma rays extend deeper into the body

Question 24

What does a dosimeter do

Answer 24

Clips onto lab coat. Has photographic film inside, used to detect amount of radiation and what type the wearer is exposed to

Question 25

What is palliative care

Answer 25

A type of care that doesn’t cure the patient but makes their lives more comfortable such as by shrinking tumour size

Question 26

What are the two types of radiotherapy and what do they use

Answer 26

Internal, uses beta emitters placed right next to the tumour to destroy it
External, uses high intensity gamma or x rays to kill the cancers

Question 27

How can a tracer be used to diagnose cancer

Answer 27

Radioactive substance attached to something like glucose and put into the body, the tumour uses lots of glucose so the radioactive source will build up there, this can then be detected in a pet scanner

Question 28

What does a pet scanner do

Answer 28

Detects gamma radiation

Question 29

How are gamma rays made

Answer 29

Beta+ decay emits a positron which collides with an electron, forming two gamma rays that follow the path and opposite path of the positron

Question 30

What is the process in which matter colides with its antimatter

Answer 30

Annihilation, mass becomes energy,

Question 31

What are the properties needed for a radioactive isotope used in diagnosis

Answer 31

Must have short half life and easily made so they can be used soon after production