radioactive decay (unit 2)

Question 1

types of decay + penetrating power

Answer 1

• alpha (bounce , not highly energetic)
• beta (small , can get through stuff easily, atoms like to share, stopped by metals)
• gamma (easy to get through anything)

Question 2

alpha decay

Answer 2

positively charged HELIUM ion (2 protons + 2 neutrons)
benign form of radiation - harmless

Question 3

beta decay

Answer 3

an electron
neutron changed into a proton and electron, electron is emitted
harmless

Question 4

gamma radiation

Answer 4

bundles of energy released from nucleus but doesn’t change atomic mass or number
dangerous - high frequencies

Question 5

how to calculate half lives

Answer 5

remaining mass =
(initial mass)(1/2)^(# of half lives)
* # of half lives = period of time/half life time*

Question 6

fission

Answer 6

splitting of heavy, unstable nucleus into two lighter nuclei

Question 7

fusion

Answer 7

when two light nuclei combine releasing vast amounts of energy (bigger particles)