Section A - Radioactive decay Flashcards
what is the composition of an atom?
Nucleus
protons
neutrons
electrons
what is a nuclear reaction?
change in atomic nucleus producing a new element
what is a chemical reaction?
change in valence eā configuration
no change in nucleus
no new elements created
what element is found in smoke detectors?
Smoke detectors typical use Americium 241
The alpha particle emission is critical to its operation.
what is beta decay?
A neutron is converted to a proton and an electron ejected.
The product nucleus has an atomic number that is one more than the original nucleus. The mass number remains the same. e.g. carbon-14 decay.
what is alpha decay?
Alpha decay is the nuclear decay process whereby the parent nucleus emits an alpha particle.
what is positron emission?
Conversion of a proton to a neutron and a positron (positive electron).
The product nucleus has an atomic number that is one less than the original nucleus. The mass number remains the same. E.g. copper-64 decay.
what is electron capture?
Conversion of a proton to a neutron (nucleus captures electron from inner orbital).
The product nucleus has an atomic number that is one less than the original nucleus. The mass number remains the same. E.g. potassium-40 decay.
what is emitted in electron capture?
When another orbital electron fills the vacancy in the inner-shell an X-ray photon is emitted.
what is gamma emission?
Gamma Emission In some cases radioactive decay results in a product nucleus in an excited state which goes to a lower state with emission of electromagnetic radiation.
what is spontaneous fission?
Spontaneous Fission A heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei with the release of energy.
