Radioactivity

Question 1

What are examples of nucleons?

Answer 1

Protons + neutrons

Question 2

Are this stable or unstable:
Carbon 12
Carbon 14

Answer 2

Carbon 12 - stable
Carbon 14 - unstable

Question 3

What is the process of alpha decay?

Answer 3

A atom releases an alpha particle (helium), this contain 2 protons and two neutrons.

Question 4

What are the properties of alpha decay?

Answer 4

-Generally heavy elements.
-Alpha radiation is stopped by a few centimetres of air.
-Low penetration power.
-Highly ionising.

Question 5

Describe am example of how alpha radiation is used?

Answer 5

-In smoke detectors
Alpha radiation is fired across to a detector and when there is smoke,
The smoke would block the path of the alpha radiation to the detector,
And so the detector would sound if it didn’t receive alpha radiation.

Question 6

Describe the process of beta minus decay?

Answer 6

A neutron turns into a proton and electron, the electron is released from the atom.

Question 7

Describe the properties of beta minus decay.

Answer 7

-lighter nuclei
-medium penetrating
-medium ionising
-stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium

Question 8

Describe a used for beta minus decay.

Answer 8

It is used as a paper thickness gauge.
-A gun will fire electrons through the paper into a receiver,
-If too many electron get through then the paper isn’t thick enough,
-If not enough get through then the paper is too thick.

Question 9

Describe the process of gamma radiation?

Answer 9

A high energy, high frequency EM wave is released

Question 10

Describe the properties of gamma radiation?

Answer 10

-low ionising power
-high penetration power
-reduced by lead and concrete

Question 11

Name and describe a use of gamma radiation?

Answer 11

-Used as a medical tracer
-Used in radiotherapy
-A gamma source emits gamma rays at the cancer tissue which kills itmohe the source is moved around the cancer cells in order to damage as little healthy tissue as possible.