Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physics Edexcel iGCSE > Radioactivity and Particles > Flashcards

Radioactivity and Particles Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Physics 101 flashcards AP® Physics flashcards
1
Q

What is an isotope of an element?

A

Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons and electrons and a different number of neutrons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 4 types of radiation emitted from unstable nuclei?

A

alpha, beta, gamma and neutron radiation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is background radiation?

A

radiation is always around and it is in very small amounts so not harmful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How can you detect radiation?

A

Geiger-Muller detector

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the most penetraing radiation?

A

gamma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the most ionising radiation?

A

alpha

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is an alpha particle?

A

a helium nuclei (2 protons and 2 neutrons)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a beta particle?

A

an electron which is emmited from the nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a gamma ray?

A

high energy carrying electromagnetic wave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is beta decay?

A

the splitting of a neutron into a proton and an electron - the electron is emitted from the nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How does the activity of a radioactive source decrease over time?

A

exponentially - by a constant ratio over constant time periods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the half-life?

A

the time taken for a source to half its inital activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the uses of radioactivity?

A 
household fire alarms
irradiating food
sterilisation
tracing and gauging thickness of materials
diagnosis and treatment of cancer
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why is ionising radiation dangerous?

A

it can damage tissue and kill cells

it can cause cell mutations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the advantages of nuclear power for electricity?

A

do not produce much carbon dioxide
fuel is readily available
produces more energy than fossil fuels
does not contribute to global warming

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the disadvantages of nuclear power for electricity?

A

nuclear power is seen as extremley dangerous
there are security risks (terrorism)
a lot of moeny and time required to keep station
waste difficult to dispose of
workers must have regualr tests due to exposure
can cause widespread disaster

17
Q

Explain the fission of U-235

A

absorbs a neutron
makes the nuclei unstable
splits into two daughter nuclei
release two or more neutrons and electricity

18
Q

What do control rods do?

A

they absorb excess neutrons

19
Q

What does a moderator do?

A

it slows down the neutrons until they are slow enough to be absorbed

20
Q

What is nuclear fusion?

A

when two small nuclei fuse together to form a larger nuclei - also releases energy

Physics Edexcel iGCSE (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions