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radiation Flashcards

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1
Q

a word to describe decay

A

random

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2
Q

how can an atom become more stable overtime

A

by randomly (spontaneously) emitting ionising radiation

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3
Q

what are the three types of radiation

A

gamma
alpha
beta

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4
Q

what does alpha radiation release

A

helium nuclei

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5
Q

what does beta radiation release

A

electrons

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6
Q

what is gamma radiation

A

a high-energy electromagnetic wave

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7
Q

what are the three main ways of detecting radioactive activity

A

cloud chamber
photographic film
geiger counter

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8
Q

what is a cloud chamber

A

a container full of air containing alcohol vapour
The alcohol vapour condenses on the ionised air molecules, showing the trail of radiation.

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9
Q

what is photographic film

A

a bright stop appears whenever the radiation hits the film

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10
Q

examples of things that emit radiation

A

rocks
the sun
radon
food

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11
Q

what does an alpha particle contain

A

2 protons
2 neutrons

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12
Q

what are the properties of alpha

A

does alot of damage but stopped by small amounts of matter

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13
Q

what are the properties of gamma

A

weakly ionising
less damage but stopped by larger amounts of mass

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14
Q

what are the properties of beta

A

middle ionising
high energy electrons
pass through paper but not foil

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15
Q

how does a smoke detector work

A

A radioactive material fires alpha particles at a smoke detector.
If there is smoke between the radioactive material and the smoke detector, then fewer alpha particles will reach the d

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16
Q

what can beta radiation be used for

A

paper production

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17
Q

what can gamma radiation be used for`

A

medical sterilization

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18
Q

what is nuclear fission

A

splits 1 nucleus into 2 or more smaller nuclei.

19
Q

hat is the process of nuxlear fusion

A

A neutron collides with a large nucleus and is absorbed. This creates an unstable nucleus.
This nucleus then splits into fragments. This releases large amounts of energy and more neutrons. These neutrons can then collide with other nuclei.

20
Q

what creates an unstable nucleus

A

A neutron collides with a large nucleus and is absorbed.

21
Q

what happens if nuclear fission is not controlled

A

the rate of nuclear fission speeds up
a chain reaction where each stage of fission produces more and more energy

22
Q

what is nuclear fusion

A

fuses (joins) 2 smaller nuclei to create 1 larger nucleus. Creating this larger nucleus releases energy.

23
Q

what form of decay doesnt create a new element

A

gamma

24
Q

what rules must be followed when writing decay equations

A

the sum of the atomic numbers must be equal
the sum of the mass numbers must also be equal

25
Q

how many protons and neutrons are lost in alpha decay

A

2 pro
2 neut

26
Q

what stays the same in nuclear fission

A

num of protons

27
Q

how many nucleons are released in nuc fission

A

4

28
Q

what happens in beta decay - equ

A

1 electron is carried away nitrogen is formed
number of nucleons stays the same

29
Q

what happens in gamma rays

A

nothing

30
Q

what occurs in beta decay

A

a neutron in the nucleus decays to form a proton and an electron - which is then ejected

31
Q

what occurs in alpha decay

A

it looses 2 protons so it becomes a new element

32
Q

what occurs in gamma decay

A

nucleus relaxes and goes into a state of lower energy

33
Q

what is half life

A

the average time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei to halve.

34
Q

what is the activity of a radio active substance measured in

A

Becquerels (Bq)

35
Q

what are ions

A

particles that become charged by gaining or losing electrons.

36
Q

what is bad abt ions

A

they damage cells

37
Q

what are the safety precautions of radiation

A

storage
reduced exposure
usage
handling

38
Q

what is contamination

A

radioactive substances occur from inside something. Irradiation is when something is exposed to radiation on its outside.

39
Q

what is irradiation

A

When something is exposed to radiation on its outside.

40
Q

what are the different types of contamination

A

beta
alpha
gamma

41
Q

what is beta contamination

A

not very harmful and can pass out the bdy

42
Q

what is alpha contamination

A

most dangerous
cant pass through the body
cancer

43
Q

what is gamma contamination

A

least harmful
most penetrative

whole physics spec (5 decks)

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