Radioactive decay Flashcards

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1
Q

What happens to the nuclei of a particle when an alpha or beta particle is released? How does this lead to decay?

A
  • becomes an isotope of a different element
    • proton number changes
  • the number of nuclei of the initial radioactive isotope therefore decreases
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2
Q

How does the rate of decay of an isotope change?

A
  • rate decreases
  • decays exponentially
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3
Q

What is the half-life of a radioactive isotope?

A
  • T1/2
  • Time taken for the mass of the isotope to decrease to half the initial mass
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4
Q

What is the activity of a radioactive isotope?

A
  • A
  • the number of nuclei of the isotope that disintegrate per second
  • rate of change of the number of nuclei
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5
Q

What are the units for activity? What do they mean?

A
  • the becquerel (Bq)
  • where 1 Bq = 1 disintegration per second
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6
Q

What is the activity of a radioactive isotope proportional to?

A
  • its mass
  • as mass decreases, activity decreases
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7
Q

How can the energy transfer per second from a radioactive source be measured?

A
  • energy transfer per second = AE
    • A = activity
    • E = energy of each particle
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