Radioactivity and Nuclear Power Flashcards
What are nucleons?
Protons and neutrons, the particles in the nucleus.
What holds the nucleus together?
The strong nuclear force.
For heavier elements, do protons outnumber neutrons or the other way around in the nucleus?
Neutrons outnumber protons.
Why do some undergo radioactive decay?
To achieve greater stability.
What are the three types of radioactive decay we studied?
Alpha, beta and gamma decay.
Which of the three types of radioactive decay are unaffected by a magnetic field, alpha, beta or gamma?
Gamma.
Which of the three types of radioactive decay has the most mass, alpha, beta or gamma?
Alpha.
A beta particle is also known as a(n) __________
Electron
Which of the three types of radioactive decay has the greatest penetrating power, alpha, beta or gamma?
Gamma
Isotopes of an element are chemically identical but differ in the number of __________
Neutrons
A hydrogen atom with one neutron is called ________
Deuterium
The time needed for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay is called a ___________
Half-life
True or False. Rates of radioactive decay appear to be absolutely constant, unaffected by any external conditions.
True.
If a 24-gram sample of a radioactive substance with a half-life of 7 days decays over 3 weeks, how much is left?
3 grams.
Which of the three radioactive decay modes - alpha, beta or gamma - creates an isotope of a different element?
Alpha and beta