Radioactivity Flashcards

1
Q

Define Radioactivity

A

The spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus of an element

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How is radioactivity different to chemical change?

A

The nucleus breaks apart without anything being done to the element in radiactivity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define radiation.

A

The energy or particles emitted by an element when it disintegrates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which elements are radiactive?

A

Elements with an atomic number greatr than 93
isotopes of some smaller atoms are also radioactive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

When an unstable nucleus splits up (disintegrates) what can it produce?

A

emits radiation
a different atom with a different number of protons is formed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define radioisotope

A

any isotope of an element which is radioactive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the three types of radiation?

A

Alpha, Beta and Gamma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is alpha made from/ what is the nature of alpha?
What can it pass through?
What is it absorbed by?
Is it affected by elec/magnetic fields?
What is its ionising power?
What is its speed?

A

Made from helium nuclei
Passes through air
Absorbed by paper/skin
Yes it is affected by mag fields
Strong ionising power
Slowest radiation (10% of speed of light)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is beta made from/ what is the nature of beta?
What can it pass through?
What is it absorbed by?
Is it affected by elec/magnetic fields?
What is its ionising power?
What is its speed?

A

Is a high speed electron
Passes through air/paper/skin
Absorbed by aluminium
Yes it is affected by mag fields
medium ionising power
medium radiation (50% of speed of light)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is gamma made from/ what is the nature of gamma?
What can it pass through?
What is it absorbed by?
Is it affected by elec/magnetic fields?
What is its ionising power?
What is its speed?

A

is an electromagnetic wave
Passes through air/paper/skin/aluminium/iron
Absorbed by concrete (only reduced)
No it is not affected by mag fields
weak ionising power
fastest radiation (100% of speed of light)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How many neutrons does an alpha particle have?

A

2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How many protons does an alpha particle have?

A

2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

When a nucleus emits an alpha particle, by how much does the atomic number of the remaining nucleus decrease?

A

2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

When a nucleus emits an alpha particle, by how much does the mass number of the remaining nucleus decrease?

A

4

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

When an atomic number emits a beta particle, how much does the mass number of the remaining nucleus change by?

A

no change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly