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Physics > SP6 - Radioactivity > Flashcards

SP6 - Radioactivity Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the charges on protons, neutrons and electrons?

A

+1
0
-1

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2
Q

What did the Plum pudding model say about the atomic structure of atoms?

A

That an atom is a mass of positively charged material with electrons scattered throughout it.

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3
Q

What did Rutherford’s model say about the atomic structure of an atom?

A

The mass is concentrated in the centre nucleus
The positive charge is in the nucleus
There are electron orbiting the nucleus

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4
Q

What was Rutherford experiment?

A

He fired alpha particles at gold foil and used detectors to see where the particles went.

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5
Q

How did Rutherford’s experiment disprove the plum pudding model?

A

Most particles went straight through the foil - shows that there is empty space between the nucleus and the electrons.
Some particles were deflected at small angles - shows that they passed closely to the nucleus
Some particles were deflected at large angles - shows that they hit the nucleus

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6
Q

What is the atomic number?

A

Number of protons (and electrons)

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7
Q

What does the atomic mass show?

A

The number of protons and neutrons.

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8
Q

What are isotopes?

A

Atoms of an element with the same number of protons and a different number of neutrons.

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9
Q

What happens when an electron gains energy?

A

It moves to a higher orbit (shell)

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10
Q

What happens if an electron gains too much energy?

A

It escapes from the atom completely - the atom becomes a positive ion

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11
Q

What does it mean if an electron moves to a lower orbit?

A

The electron is emitting electromagnetic waves. (Losing energy)

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12
Q

What is the name of the model we use today?

A

Bohr’s model

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13
Q

What is background radiation?

A

The natural low levels of ionising radiation we are constantly exposed to.

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14
Q

What are natural sources of background radiation?

A

Cosmic rays - from space
Rocks and soil - some emit radioactive radon gas
Living things - plants absorb radioactive material and pass it to food

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15
Q

What are artificial sources of background radiation?

A

Radioactive waste - from nuclear power stations
Radioactive fallout - from nuclear weapon testing
Medical - x-rays, tanning

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16
Q

Name the 6 main sources of background radiation.

A

Radon gas
Medical
Land and buildings
Food and drink
Cosmic rays
Nuclear

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17
Q

Which of the 6 sources does most background radiation come from?

A

Radon gas

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18
Q

Where does radon gas come from?

A

The radioactive decay of uranium in rocks and soil.

19
Q

What do levels of radon gas depend on?

A

The uranium content and permeability of the rocks and soil.

20
Q

What are the 3 types of radiation?

A

Alpha
Beta
Gamma

21
Q

What is alpha radiation?

A

A helium nucleus
2 protons - 2 neutrons

22
Q

What is the charge of an alpha particle?

A

2+

23
Q

What is the atomic mass of an alpha particle?

A

4

24
Q

What are beta particles?

A

A single electron leaving the atom.

25
Q

What is the charge of a beta particle?

A

-1

26
Q

What is the atomic mass of a beta particle?

A

Almost 0

27
Q

What are gamma particles?

A

A electromagnetic wave leaving the atom.

28
Q

What is the charge of a gamma particle?

A

No charge

29
Q

What is the atomic mass of a gamma particle?

A

No mass

30
Q

Which of the three types of radiation is the most ionising?

A

Alpha - most ionising
Gamma - least ionising

31
Q

Which of the types of radiation has the best penetration?

A

Gamma - best
Alpha - worst

32
Q

What stops alpha particles?

A

Paper
Skin

33
Q

What stops beta particles?

A

Thin aluminium

34
Q

What stops gamma particles?

A

Thick lead

35
Q

What is a radioactive atom?

A

An unstable isotope.

36
Q

What is half-life?

A

The time it takes for the activity to decrease by half
The time it takes for half the number of unstable nuclei to decay

37
Q

What is activity?

A

The number of radioactive decays per second.

38
Q

What are the units of radioactivity?

A

Becquerels (Bq)

39
Q

Is radioactive decay random or not?

A

Random
Unpredictable when the atom will decay

40
Q

What are the risks of excessive exposure to radiation?

A

Tissue damage
Cancer
Cellular damage
Skin burns
Mutations of DNA

41
Q

How can we reduce exposure to radiation?

A

Lead lined containers - no radiation can escape
Handing sources with tongs
Film badges - keeping exposure time short
Keeping far away from sources

42
Q

What is contamination?

A

When radiation is on or in you

43
Q

What is irradiation?

A

When radioactive rays are hitting you.

44
Q

What do you need to do if you get contaminated?

A

Decontaminate yourself

Physics (9 decks)

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