Radioactivity Flashcards
Isotope
Atoms of the same element he differ in the number of neutrons in the nucleus.
Stable
Describes a nucleus that doesn’t change spontaneously. The protons and neutrons in the nucleus are held together strongly.
Unstable
Describes an atom in which the neutrons and protons in the nucleus are not held together strongly.
Radioisotopes
An isotope in radioactive form.
Nuclear radiation
Radiation directly from the nucleus of an atom. It has alpha or beta particles, or gamma rays.
Alpha particles
Positively charged nuclei of helium atoms, this has 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
Beta particles
Charged particles (positive or negative)
Gamma rays
High energy electromagnetic radiation produced when nuclear reaction occur. They travel at the speed of light.
Half life
The time that is taken for half the radioactive atoms to simply decay.
Cosmic radiation
Naturally occurring background radiation from outer space.
Alliteration
Repeated sound of the first consonant in series of multiple words. Eg Peter Piper picked a pickled pepper.
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds to create internal rhyming
E.g. The vain in Spain falls on my window Paine
Consonance
Repetition of the same consonant two or more times in short succession
Eg. Peter patter.
Repetition
Literacy device the repeats the same words or phrases to make ideas clearer.
Eg just Because
Radiometric dating
Determining the ages of rocks and fossils based on rate of decay or half life of particular isotopes
