radiation Flashcards
how is nuclear radiation emitted?
by the nucleus of an unstable isotope of an element when it decays
what does the type of radiation that is emitted depend on?
the mass of the isotope
what is the type of radiation emitted depended on?
the mass of the isotope
what are the types of radiation?
alpha
beta
gamma
what are radioisotopes?
an isotope that is a different form of the same element
what happens when radioisotopes are unstable and decay?
they decay into other elements giving out radiation
what does alpha particles consist of?
two protons and two neutrons
what happens when an alpha particle is released from an element?
mass number decreased by 4
atomic number decreases by 2
what does an alpha radiation particle symbol look like?
4
alpha particle symbol
2
what does a beta radiation particle consist of?
a high energy electron
how is a beta particle emitted?
by the nucleus of a decaying atom
what happens in an atoms nucleus when a beta particle is emitted?
a neutron turns into a proton - which stays in the nucleus
what happens in a beta particle when an atoms nucleus decays and releases a beta particle?
a neutron turns into a proton - which stays in the nucleus
what is the beta particle radiation equation?
14 14 0
C —–> N + Beta particle symbol
6 7 -1
why does the beta atom great a new element once emitted?
because the atom has gained a proton and so has changed into a new element
is nuclear decay a random process?
yes
what is gamma radiation?
a form of electromagnetic radiation
is gamma radiation a type of particle?
no
what happens when an atoms nucleus decays and emits gamma radiation?
it releases energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation
is a new element formed when gamma radiation is emitted?
no
what are gamma rays usually emitted with?
alpha or beta particles
what is the equation for gamma radiation?
60 60 0
Co ——-> Ni + beta symbol + gamma radiation symbol
27 28 -1
what are the uses of radiation?
radiation therapy
tracers
smoke detectors
sterilizing
what is the rate of which a radioactive source decays measured in?
becquerels (Bq)
what is one becquerel equivalent to?
one decay per second
what is the count-rate?
the number of decays per second recorded by a detector - a Geiger-Muller tube
