Radioactivity Flashcards
What is an Isotope?
An isotope in an element with the same number or protons but a different number of neutrons. Has a different atomic mass, but same atomic number.
What is ionisation power?
The ability of the radiation to knock electrons off stable atoms, this turning them into ions.
Unit used for activity
Bequerel (Bq)
Electrons have ? atomic mass units (amu). What is “?”
”?” = 0 amu
Neutrons have ? atomic mass units (amu). What is “?”
”?” = -1 amu
Protons have ? atomic mass units (amu). What is “?”
”?” = -1 amu
Mass of alpa particles?
6.642 x 10-4
Charge for alpa particles?
+2
Alpha ionisation power?
Very high
Alpa penetration power?
Very low
Mass of beta particles?
1/1837 amu
Beta particle charge?
-1
Beta ionisation power?
Intermediate
Beta penetration Power?
Intermediate
What is irradiation?
It is exposing objects to beams of radiation. It damdages living cells. It is used for killing bacteria.
What is contamination?
When objects have a radiactive material into it. An apple exposed to radiation is IRRADIATED, but an apple injected with radiation is CONTAMINATED.
Radioactivity uses (2)
- Sterilisation of surgical instruments
- Gamma knifes
What are gamma knifes?
These are beams of gamma rays used to kill cancerous tumours deep inside the body.
instruments used to detect radiation
Geiger-Müller tube and Geiger-Müller counter
What is half life?
Half life is the average time taken for half of the radioisotopes in a sample to decay. It is a measurement of time
Dangers of ionising radiation
- Radiation can cause mutations in living organisms
- Radiation can damdge cells and tissue
- Disposal of radioactive waste
