Radioactivity

Question 0

Anti-particle

Answer 0

A particle of antimatter that has the same rest mass but, if charged, the equal and opposite charge to its corresponding particle. For example the positron is the antiparticle of the electron

Question 1

Activity

Answer 1

The number of radioactive decays per unit time. Measured in becquerels (Bq)

Question 2

Becquerel

Answer 2

Unit of activity e.g. 10000 Bq. 1Bq is 1 radioactive decay per second

Question 3

Beta Decay

Answer 3

The radioactive decay that causes emission of a beta particle and an antineutrino from the nucleus when a neutron breaks down into a proton under the influence of the weak nuclear force

Question 4

Exponential decays

Answer 4

At any given time interval there is the same ratio of final value to starting value. For example capacitor discharge and radioactive decay

Question 5

Hadron

Answer 5

A particle consisting of quarks (i.e. Baryons and mesons)

Question 6

Quark

Answer 6

A component of hadrons, possibly a fundamental particle. There are six types of quark; up, down, strange, charm, top and bottom

Question 7

Radioactive decay

Answer 7

The break down of a radioactive nucleus causing the emission of an alpha particle, beta particle or gamma photon from the nucleus

Question 8

Radioactivity

Answer 8

The process of the decay of a radioactive nuclide

Question 9

Strangeness

Answer 9

The property of some quarks that is conserved in the strong interaction but not in weak interactions

Question 10

Transmutation

Answer 10

The change of a nuclide by changing the number of protons and/ or neutrons