SP6z - Radioactivity Flashcards
What happens to electrons as they are further away from the nucleus (on a higher energy level)?
The higher energy level/ orbit/ shell the higher the energy of the electron
Where do alpha, beta, gamma and positron decay come from?
The decay of an unstable nucleus
What can alpha, beta, gamma and positron decay do to normal matter?
Cause mutations in DNA or destroy it
What is created when a positron meets an electron and they annihilate each other?
Gamma ray
What is background radiation (where does it come from)?
Comes from the continuous decay of nuclei all around us (there isn’t enough of it to harm us)
What did Rutherford conclude?
An atom is mostly empty space with a very small nucleus which was positively charged and where all the mass was
Why do most radioactive sources give off alpha/beta/positron and then also gamma rays
They do this when the nucleus rearranges and releases some spare energy after the initial decay
If you are asked to draw results from a graph (eg. half-life), what should you always do?
Draw a line of best fit
What does radon gas emit?
Alpha particles
Why are rocks radioactive?
Rocks like granite contain small amounts of uranium salts. Overtime, the uranium decays, releasing other radioactive nuclei
Fruits high in what are very slightly radioactive
Potassium
