radioactivity

Question 1

3 naturally occuring isotopes of carbon

Answer 1

99% of carbon is carbon-12
1% is carbon-13
carbon-14 occurs in trace amounts

Question 2

nuclide

Answer 2

a distinct kind of atom or nucleus characterized by a specific number of protons and neutrons

Question 3

radioisotope

Answer 3

an isotope of a nuclide which is radioactive

Question 4

carbon-14

Answer 4

radionuclide in an excited or unstable state
seeks to become more stable
radioisotope of carbon

Question 5

radioactivity

Answer 5

the emission of energy and/or particles in order for the original atom to become more stable

this process is radioactive decay

Question 6

stochastic (random) phenomenon

radioactive decay

Answer 6

spontaneous change or disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus as it transforms itself to lose energy

Question 7

radionuclides

Answer 7

to get more stable, must lose energy

emit energy- may become a new element or nuclide

Question 8

sources of radionuclides

Answer 8

creation of earth
nuclear reactions in atmosphere
nuclear reactors
linear accelerators
cyclotrons

Question 9

carbon dating uses

Answer 9

carbon-14

Question 10

radioactive decay

Answer 10

the process by which a nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation
stochastic process
impossible to know when any particular atom will decay (popcorn popping)

Question 11

radioactive materials can emit

Answer 11

alpha particles
beta particles
gamma rays
conversion electrons
and more

Question 12

half-life

Answer 12

the amount of time when half of the original atoms have lost their energy and have become stable
measured in time
start = 100%
1 half-life = 50%
unique for each element

Question 13

radiation

Answer 13

the emission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles (radioactive decay)

Question 14

types of radiation

Answer 14

ionizing radiation

non-ionizing radiation

Question 15

ionizing radiation

Answer 15

radiation consisting of particles or electromagnetic waves with enough energy to cause ionizations in the medium through which it passes
does have sufficient energy to ionize the atoms with which it interacts

Question 16

ionization

Answer 16

the process where an atom aquires a positive or negative charge by gaining or losing an atom
converts an atom into and ion

Question 17

non-ionizing radiation

Answer 17

radiation consisting of particles or electromagnetic waves with less energy than is needed to cause ionizations in the medium through which it passes
ex- radio waves
microwaves
ultraviolet
visible light

Question 18

ion

Answer 18

an electrically charged atom or group of atoms formed by the loss or gain of one or more electrons

Question 19

2 main types of ionizing radiation

Answer 19

electromagnetic radiation

particle radiation

Question 20

two particles of most interest in radioactive decay

Answer 20

alpha particles

beta particles

Question 21

alpha particle

Answer 21

easily transfers kinetic energy (KE) to other atoms
depostis a lot of energy in short distance
relatively massive
highly charged +2
2 protons, 2 neutrons
atomic mass number 4

Question 22

beta particles

Answer 22

originate in nucleus
less charge than alpha particle, therefore less KE transferred to other atoms
deposits energy over longer distance
charge -1

Question 23

does have sufficient energy to ionize atoms with which it interacts

Answer 23

x-rays

gamma rays

Question 24

photon

Answer 24

not a particle, just energy is in the form of a “packet”
no mass only energy
electromagnetic energy
has capability of ionizing

Question 25

difference between x-ray and gamma ray

Answer 25

x-ray- produced outside nucleus of an atom, produced from electron shells
gamma ray- originate in nucleus of atoms

Question 26

gamma ray

Answer 26

no mass
no charge
infinite range, becomes smaller and smaller but never reaches 0
travels at speed of light
not attracted or repelled by electrons and protons

Question 27

radioactive decay is measured in

Answer 27

half-life