Radioactivity Flashcards
What is an alpha particle?
- 2 protons and 2 neutrons
What is a beta particle?
An electron
Define half-life
The time is taken for half of the nuclei in any given sample to decay
What is meant by nuclear fission
Splitting of the large nucleus into 2 smaller nuclei
Give 2 properties of beta particles
- Negatively charged
- Fast-moving electron
What is radioactivity
The decay of unstable nuclei with the emission of one or more types of radiation
What is the main source of energy in the sun
Fission
Why is there a large amount of energy produced in nuclear fission
Loss in mass is converted into a large amount of energy
Give 2 properties of gamma radiation
- Highly penetrating
- Electromagnetic radiation
What is mass-energy conservation?
Mass is converted into energy according to E=MC2
What is nuclear fusion?
Fuse together to form a larger nucleus
List 2 products of Nuclear fission
Energy
neutrons
Why is nuclear fusion possible under extreme conditions
High energy is required to overcome the repulsion between two positive nuclei
What changes take place in the structure of a nucleus when alpha decay occurs
Helium nucleus is lost
2 protons and 2 neutrons emitted
Atomic number decreases by 2
The mass number decreases by 4
What changes take place in the structure of a nucleus when beta decay occurs
A neutron changes into a proton and an electron
an additional proton increases the atomic number by 1
