SP4a Radioactivity Flashcards
Protons repel each other with ?
electrostatic force.
Protons attract each other with ?
strong nuclear force.
Protons attract neutrons with ?
strong nuclear force.
Neutrons attract each other with ?
strong nuclear force.
What is the attractive force acting between protons and protons, and between neutrons and protons called?
strong nuclear force.
Mass number?
total number of protons and neutrons.
Atomic number?
number of protons.
What is an isotope?
it is an atom of a single element (so they have the same number of protons) that has a different number of neutrons (or a different mass number).
Are neutrons stable or unstable when their on their own?
unstable.
What can a neutron change into?
a proton and shoot out an electron.
Inside a nucleus, how are neutrons made more stable?
because of the protons around them.
E.g. why is carbon-10 less stable than carbon-12? (5)
.Protons are closer together
.The electrostatic force pushing them apart is bigger
.It is harder for the strong nuclear force to hold the nucleus together
.On average, each neutron is closer to more protons
.Neutrons are more stable
E.g. why is carbon-18 less stable than carbon-12? (5)
.Protons are further apart
.The electrostatic force pushing them apart is smaller
.It is easier for the strong nuclear force to hold the nucleus together
.On average, each neutron is closer to fewer protons
.Neutrons are less stable
What do unstable nuclei randomly do?
emit radioactive particles to become more stable.
What are the five types of radiation?
.alpha (α)
.beta minus (β -)
.beta plus (β+)
.gamma (γ)
.neutrons (n)
