THE NUCLEUS + HALF LIFE Flashcards
What is the mass number?
The number of protons and neutrons
What is the atomic number?
The number of protons/ electrons
What is the charge of the electron?
-1
What is the charge of the proton?
+1
What is the charge of the neutron?
0
What is the relative mass of the electron?
negligible
What is the mass of the proton?
1
What is the mass of the neutron?
1
What is an ion?
A charged atom due to loss or gain of electrons.
What is an isotope?
An atom of the same element with a different number of neutrons but the same number of protons and electrons.
What is decay?
When the nucleus changes composition.
Why do isotopes decay?
In order to become stable.
What is half life?
The average time for half the unstable nucleus to decay.
What is the activity?
A measure of the number of decays per second (Bq)
Is decay a random process?
Yes
What is the cause of background radiation?
The natural decay of unstable nuclei in our surroundings.
Name five sources of background radiation.
- Radon gas from ground
- Buildings and the ground
- Food and drink
- Cosmetic Rays
- Artificial sources
Name 3 artificial sources of background radiation.
Medical, nuclear power, smoke detectors
