Radioactivity Flashcards
What are 3 elements in the atomic structure?
Atoms, nucleus, electrons
What are ions?
Atoms gain electrons to form negative ions
What are isotopes?
Atoms with same number of protons but different number neutrons
What is the plum pudding model?
Ball of positive charge with negative charge scattered throughout
What is the Bohr model?
Central nucleus with electrons orbiting in energy levels
What is alpha radiation?
- 2 neutrons + protons (helium nucleus)
- ionising radiation -> damages body cells that causes mutations that lead to cancer
What’s gamma radiation?
EM radiation
What’s beta radiation?
- Emitted when a neutron turns into a proton in nucleus
- Thickness detectors
- High speed election
What’s irradiation?
Object is exposed to radiation without becoming radioactive
What’s nuclear fusion?
Joining of two light nuclei into a larger nucleus
- requires very high temperatures and pressure
What’s nuclear fission?
- Produces two smaller nuclei and releases energy
- Releases 2 or 3 neutrons
- Splitting of large and unstable nuclei
What are 2 types of background radiation?
Man-made
-nuclear weapons testing and nuclear accidents
Natural
-rocks and cosmic rays from space
What’s nuclear decay?
when the nucleus of an atom is unstable and emits energy in the form of radiation
What will block beta radiation?
Thin sheet of aluminium
What will block gamma radiation?
Lead + concrete
