topic 4 atomic structure Flashcards
What are the three subatomic particles?
Protons, neutrons, electrons.
Where are protons and neutrons located?
In the nucleus.
Where are electrons located?
Orbiting the nucleus in energy levels.
What is the atomic number?
The number of protons in an atom.
What is the mass number?
The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.
What are the three types of radioactive decay?
Alpha, beta, gamma.
What is an alpha particle?
A helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons).
What is a beta particle?
A high-speed electron emitted from the nucleus.
What is gamma radiation?
Electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus.
What happens to the atomic number and mass number during alpha decay?
Atomic number decreases by 2; mass number decreases by 4.
What happens to the atomic number and mass number during beta decay?
Atomic number increases by 1; mass number stays the same.
What is half-life?
The time it takes for half the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.
What is the shape of a half-life graph?
A curve that decreases exponentially.
What is nuclear fission?
The splitting of a large nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.
What is nuclear fusion?
The joining of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.
Where does nuclear fission occur?
In nuclear power plants and atomic bombs.
Where does nuclear fusion occur?
In stars, including the Sun.
What is background radiation?
Low-level radiation from natural and man-made sources.
What are some natural sources of background radiation?
Rocks, cosmic rays, radon gas.
What are some man-made sources of background radiation?
Medical X-rays, nuclear waste, nuclear accidents.
