Radioactivity and the Nucleus

Question 1

alpha particle

Answer 1

2 protons, 2 neutrons, same as helium nucleus

Question 2

beta negative decay

Answer 2

neutron turns into a proton and emits a negatively charged particle

Question 3

beta positive decay

Answer 3

proton turns into a neutron and emits a positively charged particle

Question 4

gamma decay

Answer 4

the release of energy from the nucleus

Question 5

E=m*c^2

Answer 5

E=energy, joules (j)
m= mas, Kg
c= speed of light (3*10^8)

Question 6

amu

Answer 6

atomic mass unit,

1 amu= 1.661 * 10^ -27

Question 7

decay in order of lowest penetration to highest

Answer 7

alpha, beta, gamma

Question 8

decay in order of lowest ionisation to highest

Answer 8

gamma, beta, alpha

Question 9

what is fusion

Answer 9

binding particles together

releases energy if atom is lighter than iron

Question 10

what is fission

Answer 10

splitting of atoms

releases energy if atom is heavier than iron

Question 11

what type of neutrons are produced in a fission reaction

Answer 11

heavy, high powered neutrons

Question 12

what is strong force

Answer 12

the force that holds the nucleus together, however it only acts over very short distances

Question 13

mass defect

Answer 13

difference in mass from atom to its individual particles

Question 14

when a substance gains or

absorbs energy…

Answer 14

it increases in mass

Question 15

what is a chain reaction

Answer 15

neutrons produced from a fission reaction collide with other unstable nuclei and cause another fission reaction

Question 16

what is ionising radiation

Answer 16

radiation that carries enough energy to free electrons from atoms

Question 17

what is weak force

Answer 17

responsible for the transformation of protons into neutrons and vice versa. acts over extremely small distances

Question 18

what is electrostatic force

Answer 18

a repulsive force that increases in strength the larger the nucleus is.

Question 19

daughter nucleus

Answer 19

the nucleus remaining after an atom under goes radioactive decay

Question 20

parent nucleus

Answer 20

the original nucleus, before radioactive decay

Question 21

control rods

Answer 21

used to slow chain reactions by absorbing nuclei ejected during fission, are made out of boron or silver… or other stuff

Question 22

half life

Answer 22

amount of time it takes for half of the radioactive material in a substance to become… non radioactive
(1/2)^n *amount of radioactive material , n=number of half life’s

Question 23

to balance equation

Answer 23

make the sum of mass numbers and sum of protons equal each other