Radioactivity

Question 1

Radioactivity

Answer 1

Spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus with the emission of alpha beta or gamma radiation

Question 2

Properties of alpha particles

Answer 2

Charge-positive particles
Structure-2 protons +2 neutron
Penetrability-not very penetrating

Question 3

Example of alpha emitter

Answer 3

Americium-241

Question 4

Properties of beta of particles

Answer 4

Charge-negatively charged particles
Structure -high speed electrons
Penetrability -moderately penetrating

Question 5

Example of beta emitter

Answer 5

Carbon 14

Question 6

Beta particle formation

Answer 6

Formed when too many neutrons are in the nucleus for to remain stable
Neutron changes into a proton and electron
Electron is ejected from the nucleus as a require too much energy to stay in it
Ejected electron is the beta particle

Question 7

Properties of gamma rays

Answer 7

Charge-neutrally charged
Structure -high energy electro-magnetic radiation
Penetrability -extremely penetrating

Question 8

Example of gamma radiation

Answer 8

Cobalt-60

Question 9

Chemical reaction

Answer 9

Never forms a new element
Never a in change the nucleus

Question 10

Nuclear equations

Answer 10

Usually form a new element
Always a change in the nucleus

Question 11

Half-life

Answer 11

Time taken for half the nuclei in a given sample to decay

Question 12

Carbon dating

Answer 12

The ratio of carbon -12 to carbon – 14 remains constant when the organism is
alive. When a organism dies the carbon-14 already in the organism continues to decay very
slowly and therefore the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 changes in the organism. By measuring
the RATIO of carbon-12 to carbon-14 and knowing the half-life of carbon-14 the time of death
of the organism can be calculated.

Question 13

Radioisotope

Answer 13

An atom that undergoes radioactive decay

Question 14

Radioisotope

Answer 14

An atom that undergoes radioactive decay

Question 15

Radioactivity person

Answer 15

Bacquerel