Radioactivity Flashcards
mass of electron
9.1* 10^-31 kg
mass of proton
1.67*10^-27 kg (mass of neutron too)
in a nuclear reaction, what happens to A and Z
total sum of A/Z on product side= total sum of A/Z on reactants side
define isotopes
atoms of the same element, having same atomic number but different mass number
which element has most isotopes
tin
types of isotopes
- stable (n=p nearly)
- unstable/radioactive (n > p): undergo radioactive decay
define isobars
atoms of different elements which have the same mass number A, but different atomic number Z
define mirror isobars
if number of protons and neutrons get interchanged inside nucleus (Na and Mg)
define isotones
atoms having different number of protons but same number of neutrons, and different number of electrons
three types of becquerel rays
- positive (alpha)
- negative (beta)
- uncharged (gamma)
define radioactive substances
disintegrate by the spontaneous emissions of radiations (uranium, radium, polonium, thorium, actinium)
effect of physical and chemical changes on nature of radiation emitted by a substance and its rate of decay
no change
define radioactivity
it is a nuclear phenomenon. it is the process of spontaneous emission of alpha or beta and gamma radiations from the nucleus if atoms during their decay
properties of alpha particles
- consists of two protons and two neutrons- same as a doubly ionised helium atom
- mass is roughly four times the mass of proton, and charge is twice of proton
- speed is of the order 10^7 m/s
- strongly ionises the gas through which it passes (strongest ionising power than other two)
- dissipates its energy as it moves through a medium and therefore its penetrating power is quite small (least power)
- positive, so they are deflected by electric and magnetic fields
- affect photographic plate
- cause fluorescence on striking a fluorescent material
- large KE and momentum
- destroy living cells and cause biological damage
mass of alpha particle
6.68 * 10^-27 kg
specific charge of alpha particle
4.79 * 10^7 C/kg
mass of beta particle and charge
mass: 9.110^-31 kg
charge: -1.610^-19 C
specific charge of beta particle
1.76*10^11 C/kg
properties of beta particles
- fast moving electrons emitted from nucleus
- beta particles given out from nucleus of atom, and cathode rays are given out from its orbital electrons
- speed is 10^8 m/s
- ionise the gas through which they pass
- more penetrating power than alpha, less than gamma
- negatively charged so they get deflected by electric and magnetic fields (more deflection than alpha because it is lighter)
- affect photographic plate
- cause fluorescence on striking a fluorescent material
- produce xrays when stopped by metals of high Z and high mp
- cause more biological damage than alpha rays
properties of gamma radiations
- electromagnetic waves like x rays and light but differ in wavelength
- speed is same as speed of light in air
- lowest ionising power
- highest penetrating power (only thick sheet of lead can stop)
- not deflected by electric and magnetic fields as they are uncharged
- affect photographic plate
- cause fluorescence
- diffracted by crystals like x rays
- x rays obtained when there is a transition of electron in inner orbits, and gamma rays are produced when given out from nucleus
- biological damage
- cancer treatment
wavelength of gamma radiationm
10^-4 nm
most energetic radiations
gamma (so they have smaller rate of collisions with atoms of medium through which they pass; least ionising power; max penetrating power