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Physics 2 > Radiation > Flashcards

Radiation Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the plum pudding model?

A

Atoms are spheres of positive charge with tiny negative electrons stuck in them.

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2
Q

What was the result of Rutherford’s experiment?

A

A few particles were deflected straight back.

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3
Q

What did Rutherford’s experiment mean?

A
  1. Most of the mass of the atom is concentrated in centre as a tiny nucleus
  2. Nucleus must have large positive charge
  3. Most of atom is empty space
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4
Q

What do radioactive substances do?

A

Give out radiation from their nuclei.

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5
Q

Why is radioactive decay random?

A
  1. You can’t predict it

2. Unaffected by environmental conditions

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6
Q

Where does background radiation come from?

A
  1. Radon gas (51%)
  2. Rocks (14%)
  3. Food (12%)
  4. Medical X-rays (12%)
  5. Cosmic rays (10%)
  6. Nuclear industry (1%)
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7
Q

What are alpha particles?

A

Helium nuclei - 2 neutrons and 2 protons

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8
Q

What are beta particles?

A

Electrons

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9
Q

What are gamma rays?

A

Very short wavelength EM waves

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10
Q

What is the order of penetration?

A

Gamma > Beta > Alpha

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11
Q

What is the order of ionisation?

A

Alpha > Beta > Gamma

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12
Q

What charge do alpha particles have?

A

Positive

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13
Q

What charge do beta particles have?

A

Negative

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14
Q

What happens to alpha and beta particles when travelling through a magnetic or electric field?

A

Deflected in opposite directions.

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15
Q

What does radiation dose depend on?

A

Type and amount of radiation.

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16
Q

What occupations are at risk of radiation poisoning?

A
  1. Nuclear industry workers
  2. Radiographers
  3. Commercial pilots
  4. Underground miners
17
Q

What half-life?

A

The average time taken for the number of nuclei in radioactive isotope sample to halve.

18
Q

What radiation is used in smoke detectors and why?

A

Alpha, because smoke will absorb the radiation and stop the current - alarm sounds.

19
Q

What radiation is used by tracers in medicine and why?

A

Short life beta or gamma, so the radiation can pass out of the body.

20
Q

What radiation is used in radiotherapy?

A

Gamma, because they kill living cells and can treat cancer.

21
Q

What radiation is used to sterilise food or surgical instruments?

A

Gamma, because it kills microbes.

22
Q

What two types of damage can radiation cause living cells?

A
  1. Minor damage - cancer

2. Killing cells - radiation sickness

23
Q

Why are beta and gamma sources more dangerous outside the body?

A

They can get to the delicate organs.

24
Q

Why are alpha sources more dangerous inside the body?

A

They do their damage in a localised area.

25
Q

What precautions can be taken when working with radioactive sources?

A
  1. Short time
  2. No skin contact
  3. Arm’s length, away from body
  4. Pointing away
26
Q

What material is good at protecting against radiation?

A

Lead

Physics 2 (7 decks)

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