Radioactive decay Flashcards
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
2
Q
How does the rate of decay of an isotope change?
A
- rate decreases
- decays exponentially
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
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
5
Q
What are the units for activity? What do they mean?
A
- the becquerel (Bq)
- where 1 Bq = 1 disintegration per second
6
Q
What is the activity of a radioactive isotope proportional to?
A
- its mass
- as mass decreases, activity decreases
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