RADIOACTIVITY ☢️ Flashcards
Radioactivity
The spontaneous breaking up of unstable nuclei with the émission of 1 or more types of radioactivity
Nuclear Reactions
The process that alters the composition, structure , or energy of an atomic nucleus
Transmutation
The changing from one element to another
Half life
The time taken for half the atoms in a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay
Geiger-Muller tube
The instrument used to detect radiation
ALPHA🐺
- contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons (same as helium nucleus)
- Have a +2 charge , meaning they will deflect in a magnetic field
- Slowest because of the larger mass
Least penetrating power (sheet of paper - Use Americium-241 smoke detectors
ALPHA EQUATION🐺
Mass number= - 4
Atomic number= -2
Eg 231
TH =
90
BETA🙍♂️
Formed when a neutron in an unstable nucleus is changed into a proton and electron
Has -1 charge because it’s 1 electron
Travels faster than alpha particles
can be stopped 5mm sheet of aluminium
Use- Carbon-14 in Carbon-14 dating
BETA EQUATION 🙍♂️
Mass number= stays the same
Atomic number = +1
Eg 90
Co =
27
GAMMA 👾
Electromagnetic wave of radiation
Has no electric or magnetic properties cause it has no charged particles
Can be cancerous when exposed
Fastest and most penetrating power can be stopped by a thick block of lead
Use: Conbalt-60 in radiotherapy
GAMMA EQUATION 👾
Both stay the same
Eg 90
Co
27