Topic 1 - Atoms

Question 1

Anion

Answer 1

An inion that has more electrons than protons, making it negatively charged

Question 2

Atom

Answer 2

The smallest building block of matter

Question 3

Atomic number

Answer 3

The number of protons in a nucleus

Question 4

Atomic symbol

Answer 4

A short hand notation for describing an atom

Question 5

Cation

Answer 5

An ion that has more protons and electrons, making it positively charged

Question 6

Compound

Answer 6

A substance made up of 2 or more different types of atoms chemically joined

Question 7

Crystal lattice

Answer 7

A grid-like structure of atoms or ions

Question 8

Electron

Answer 8

A small, negatively charged subatomic particle, clouds of electrons surround the nucleus

Question 9

Element

Answer 9

A substance made up of only 1 type of atom

Question 10

Ion

Answer 10

An atom that has gained or lost an electron

Question 11

Molecule

Answer 11

A cluster of atoms that made up an element or compound

Question 12

Neutron

Answer 12

A subatomic particle with no electric charge

Question 13

Polyatomic

Answer 13

Contains more than one atom

Question 14

Alpha decay

Answer 14

A nuclear reaction in which a nucleus ejects an alpha particle, which is identical to a helium nucleus

Question 15

Alpha particle

Answer 15

A particle made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons making it identical to a helium nucleus

Question 16

Alpha radiation

Answer 16

A form of nuclear reaction in which a nucleus ejects a beta particle

Question 17

Fission

Answer 17

A nuclear reaction in which a very large nucleus splits into 2 small nuclei of similar mass

Question 18

Fusion

Answer 18

A nuclear reaction where 2 smaller nuclei come together to form one larger nucleus

Question 19

Gamma decay

Answer 19

Nuclear decay that involves the release of gamma rays

Question 20

Gamma radiation

Answer 20

A form of ionising radiation made up of gamma rays

Question 21

Gamma rays

Answer 21

A very high energy electromagnetic wave that is produced when the protons and neutrons in a nucleus rearrange (Y with 2 0’s)

Question 22

Half life

Answer 22

The time it takes for half of the nuclei to decay

Question 23

Ionising radiation

Answer 23

Any form of radiation that has the ability to remove electrons from atoms or molecules

Question 24

Isotopes

Answer 24

Atoms that have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons, but are still their original element

Question 25

Mutation

Answer 25

A change in the DNA of a cell, that causes it to change how it works and reproduces

Question 26

Nuclear decay

Answer 26

When a nucleus undergoes a nuclear reaction and emits radiation

Question 27

Nuclear radiation

Answer 27

Rays or particles that are emitted by a nucleus during a nuclear reaction

Question 28

Nuclear reaction

Answer 28

A process that causes a nucleus the change, including alpha decay, beta decay, fission and fusion

Question 29

Radiation burns

Answer 29

Redness and blistering on skin and other organs, caused by short exposure to a large amount of ionising radiation

Question 30

Radiation sickness

Answer 30

Cell death, caused by short exposure to a large amount of ionising radiation or a long exposure to a small amount of ionising radiation

Question 31

Radioactive

Answer 31

Emitting radiation

Question 32

Radioisotopes

Answer 32

An isotope with a nucleus that may undergo a nuclear reaction

Question 33

Radiotherapy

Answer 33

A cancer treatment in which tumours are exposed to high concentrations of radiation

Question 34

Stable nuclei

Answer 34

Nuclei that will never undergo a nuclear reaction

Question 35

Transmutation

Answer 35

A nuclear reaction that converts on type of atom into a different type of atom

Question 36

Unstable nuclei

Answer 36

Nuclei that may undergo a nuclear reaction at anytime

Question 37

Difference between chemical reaction and nuclear reaction

Answer 37

Chemical reaction: - bonds break and new bonds are made - multiple atoms involved - involves the outer shell of electrons - small changes in energy Nuclear reaction: - nucleus emits energy and/or particles - only one atom involved - involves protons, neutrons and electrons - very large changes in energy - fusion and fission

Question 38

What is radiation useful for

Answer 38

Treatment, diagnosis, industrial applications and scientific research

Question 39

What happens during beta decay

Answer 39

A neutron is converted into a proton, making it a new element

Question 40

Beta decay

Answer 40

A form of nuclear reaction in which a nucleus ejects a beta particle

Question 41

Beta particle

Answer 41

A small, negatively charged particle, identical to an electron (B with a 0 up the top and -1 below)

Question 42

Beta radiation

Answer 42

Nuclear radiation that is made up of beta particles