Radioactivity and particles Flashcards
What are the three/four types of ionising radiation
Alpha, Beta, Gamma, (neutron radiation)
Where can we find background radiation
Radiation from space, substance here on Earth or the radiation due to human activity
What are isotopes
Isotopes are atoms with different number of neutrons and same number of protons
Which type of radiation is the most penetrating
Gamma rays, it can past through paper and thin aluminium but will block by thick lead
The structure of alpha particles:
Alpha particles are made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. They are big, heavy and slow moving
describe a beta particle
A beta particle is an electron which has been emitted from the nucleus
What is gamma radiation
Gamma rays are energy, which have no mass
Which type of radiation is the most ionising
Alpha, because of the size they are strongly ionising
What is half-life
Half-life is the time taken for half of the radioactive atoms now present to decay
The activity of a radioactive isotope is 1720 Bq. Two hours later it has fallen to 215 Bq. Find the half-life of the sample.
The half-life is 40 minutes
What does irradiation mean
An object exposed to radioactive source is called irradiation
What is contamination
radioactivity particles getting into an object
arrange in ascending order, (alpha/beta/gamma), the ionizing ability
gamma,beta,alpha,
arrange in ascending order, (alpha/beta/gamma), the penetrating ability
alpha,beta,gamma
Is a human radioactive
Yes, because they are living creatures
