Radioactive Decay

Question 1

Alpha Particles

Answer 1

2 protons
2 neutrons
Same as a helium nucleus 
Mass number decreases by 4
Atomic number decreases by 2

Question 2

Beta Particles

Answer 2

High energy electron
A neutron turns into a proton in the nucleus and releases an electron
Mass number stays same
Atomic number increases by 1

Question 3

Gamma Waves

Answer 3

Surplus energy sometimes emmited in the form of gamma radiation
High frequency with short wavelength

Question 4

Ionisation

Answer 4

Can cause damage to DNA

Leave to cell mutation or cell death

Question 5

How to safely handle radiation

Answer 5

Keep it in lead containers and a sealed capsule
Wear lab coats and gloves
Keep container facing down
Use forceps
Keep facing away from body
Locked metal safe in a locked room
Do leak tests every year
Despise of it properly

Question 6

What type of radiation is the most dangerous?

Answer 6

Alpha:

Don’t have enough energy to pass through your body is so will be absorbed and cause ionisation

Question 7

What is a half life?

Answer 7

Time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay

Question 8

Radio Carbon Dating

Answer 8

Nitrogen is bombarded by cosmic rays and becomes carbon 14 (loses a beta)
Then joins with O2 to make CO2
Absorbed by plants in photosynthesis
Animals eat plants containing Carbon 14

Question 9

Contamination

Answer 9

Some of the radioactive material can be swallowed or breathed in
The radiation emitted can cause damage
Most dangerous is Alpha
Inside the body

Question 10

Irradiation

Answer 10

Radiation from the material can damage the cells of the person directly
Most dangerous is gamma
Outside the body