Topic 11 Nuclear Radiation Key Terms

Question 1

Binding Energy 1

Answer 1

Energy required to ‘hold’ the nucleons together in a nucleus

Question 2

Binding Energy 2

Answer 2

Energy required to remove a nucleon from a potential well

Question 3

Binding Energy Of Nucleus

Answer 3

Energy required to separate the nucleus into its constituents (nucleons)

Question 4

Nuclear Fission

Answer 4

Splitting of large nucleus into 2 daughter nuclei

Question 5

Nuclear Fusion

Answer 5

Where 2 smaller nuclei join together to form 1 larger nucleus

Question 6

Binding Energy per Nucleon

Answer 6

Binding energy of nucleus divided by number of nucleons in the nucleus

Question 7

Radiation

Answer 7

Where an unstable nucleus emits energy in the form of EM waves/subatomic particles in order to become more stable

Question 8

Decay Constant 1

Answer 8

Probability of nucleus decaying per unit time

Question 9

Decay Constant 2

Answer 9

Number of decays per second

Question 10

Decay Constant 2

Answer 10

Number of decays per second

Question 11

Half Life 1

Answer 11

Time taken for 1/2 nuclei to decay in a radioactive isotope

Question 12

Half Life 2

Answer 12

Time taken for radioactivity of an isotope to half

Question 13

Activity Of Radioactive Sample

Answer 13

Number of nuclei that decay per second

Rate of decay of unstable nuclei

Question 14

Ionising Radiation

Answer 14

Ionising radiation removes electrons from molecules/atoms

Question 15

Radioactive Isotope

Answer 15

Has an unstable nucleus

Which decays and emits radiation

Question 16

Isotope

Answer 16

Atoms of the same element containing the same number of protons but different number of neutrons

Question 17

Radioactive Atom

Answer 17

Has an unstable nucleus

Emits alpha, beta, or gamma radiation