Radioactivity

Question 1

What is an ion?

Answer 1

An ion is a charged atom. They occur when an atom loses or gains electrons.

Question 2

What is a isotope?

Answer 2

An isotope is an element with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons. Most isotopes are unstable this means they emit radiation form the nucleus in an attempt to stabilise.

Question 3

What are the different types of radiation?

Answer 3

Alpha, Beta and Gamma

Question 4

How do you show an alpha particle?

Answer 4

4 a or 4 He

2 2

Question 5

How do you show a beta particle?

Answer 5

Beta articles are fast moving electrons.
0 B or 0 e
-1 -1

Question 6

How do you show a gamma particle?

Answer 6

0 y

0

Question 7

Describe structure of alpha particles

Answer 7

2 protons
2 neutrons
+2 charge

Question 8

Describe the structure of beta particles

Answer 8

0 protons
0 neutrons
-1 charge

Question 9

Describe the structure of gamma particles

Answer 9

0 protons
0 neutrons
no electrical charge

Question 10

What happens when a nucleus emits an alpha particle?

Answer 10

If a nucleus emits an alpha article:
mass no. decreases by 4
atomic no. decreases by 2
When an alpha article is emitted both mass number and charge change.

Question 11

What happens when a nucleus emits a beta particle?

Answer 11

If a nucleus emits a beta particle:
loss of neutron (as it changes into a proton)
mass no. stays the same
atomic no. increases by 1
In beta radiation mass of nucleus stays them same however charge changes.

Question 12

What happens when a nucleus emits a gamma particle?

Answer 12

Gamma radiation is emitted after either alpha or beta radiation had occurred. The nucleus structure does not change, as it is only energy that is removed.
Some unstable nuclei may give out a neutron this occurs mass no. decreases by 1.

Question 13

What are the properties of an alpha particle?

Answer 13

strong ionising power
weak penetration power
travel 3-5 cm in air
stopped by a sheet of paper.

Question 14

What are the properties of a beta particle?

Answer 14

moderate ionising power
moderate penetration power
travel up to 1 metre in air
stopped by a sheet of aluminium

Question 15

What are the properties of a gamma particle?

Answer 15

weak ionising power
high penetration power
travel over 21 km in air
stopped by 5-10 cm of lead or 5-10 metres of concrete

Question 16

Define contamination

Answer 16

Radioactive contamination is the unwanted presence of a reactive isotope on other materials.
being irradiated by the source

Question 17

What is the hazard from contamination?

Answer 17

the hazard of contamination relies on the decay of the contaminating atoms releasing alpha, beta or gamma radiation.The type of radiation affects the level of hazard.

Question 18

Define irradiation

Answer 18

Irradiation take place if an object is exposed to a source which is emitting radiation.

Question 19

What is the hazard from irradiation?

Answer 19

Irradiation can ionise the atoms in your cells

radiation ionising your cells. Ionisation can lead to cell mutation.

Question 20

Safety precautions to avoid contamination

Answer 20

protective clothing (goggles,gloves and suits)
rapid response team
isolate the source
remove the substance