Radioactivity

Question 1

What is radioactive decay?

Answer 1

Radio active decay is when the unstable nucleus of an isotope gives out radiation to become stable.

Question 2

What is activity?

Answer 2

Activity is the rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decay.

Question 3

What is count rate?

Answer 3

The count rate is the number of decays recorded each second by a detector such as a Geiger-Muller Tube.
Count rate is not the same as activity because activity is due to background radiation.

Question 4

What are the four types of radioactive decay?

Answer 4

Alpha particle
Beta particle
Gamma Rays
Neutron

Question 5

What are isotopes?

Answer 5

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number or protons and electrons but different number of neutrons.

Question 6

Why cannot scientists predict when radio active decay will occur?

Answer 6

Radioactive decay is a completely random process, this does not let scientists predict when it will occur.

Question 7

What is the unit activity is measured in and what does it tell us?

What piece of equipment can we use to measure activity?

Answer 7

Activity is measured in becquerels (Bq)

1 Bq = one decay per second

The piece of equipment can we use to measure activity is a Geiger-Muller Tube.