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Physics Gcse AQA 9-1 > Topic 4-Atomic structure > Flashcards

Topic 4-Atomic structure Flashcards

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1
Q

Who did the alpha scattering experiment?

A

Rutherford.

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2
Q

What happened in the alpha scattering experiment?

A

Positive alpha particles were fired at thin particles in a gold sheet.

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3
Q

What were the results of the alpha particle scattering experiment?

A

Most particles passed straight through but others were deflected slightly.

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4
Q

What did the deflecting alpha particles show?

A

That atoms must have a positive nucleus.

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5
Q

What did the alpha particles passing through show?

A

That most of the atom must be empty space.

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6
Q

What is the radius of an atom?

A

1 x 10 to the power of minus 10 m.

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7
Q

What are isotopes?

A

Different forms of the same element.

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8
Q

What are the three types of radiation?

A
  • Alpha.
  • Beta.
  • Gamma.
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9
Q

What is ionising radiation?

A

Radiation that knocks electrons off other atoms, creating positive ions.

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10
Q

What is the ionising power of radiation?

A

How easily ionising radiation knocks electrons off.

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11
Q

What is alpha radiation?

A

When an alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus of a particle.

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12
Q

Are alpha particles strongly ionising or weakly ionising?

A

Strongly ionising.

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13
Q

Give two characteristics of alpha particles.

A
  • They don’t penetrate very far into materials.

- Strongly ionising.

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14
Q

Give a use of alpha particles.

A

Smoke detectors.

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15
Q

What are beta particles?

A

Fast moving electrons released by the nucleus of a particle.

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16
Q

Give two characteristics of beta particles.

A
  • Moderately ionising.

- Penetrate moderately far into materials.

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17
Q

For every beta particle emitted…

A

A neutron in the nucleus has turned into a proton.

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18
Q

What are gamma rays?

A

Waves of electromagnetic radiation related by the nucleus.

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19
Q

How far do gamma rays travel through materials?

A

They penetrate far into materials without being stopped.

20
Q

Are gamma particles weakly ionising or strongly ionising?

A

Weakly ionising.

21
Q

What can absorb gamma particles?

A

Thick sheets of lead or metres of concrete.

22
Q

What can absorb beta particles?

A

A sheet of aluminium.

23
Q

What can absorb alpha particles?

A

A sheet of paper.

24
Q

What do nuclear equations show?

A

Radioactive decay.

25
Q

What is the main rule for nuclear equations?

A

The mass and atomic numbers must be the same on both sides.

26
Q

What are alpha particles made up of?

A

Two protons and two neutrons.

27
Q

What happens when an atom emits an alpha particle in a nuclear equation?

A

Its atomic number reduces by 2 and its mass number reduces by 4.

28
Q

How does alpha decay change the mass of the nucleus?

A

It decreases it.

29
Q

How does beta decay change the charge of the nucleus?

A

It increases it.

30
Q

How do gamma rays change the charge or the mass of the nucleus?

A

It doesn’t change the charge or the mass.

31
Q

What can radiation be measured with?

A

A geiger-muller tuber and counter.

32
Q

What is activity measured in?

A

Becquerels (Bq)

33
Q

What is an issue with trying to measure radioactivity?

A

The activity never reaches zero.

34
Q

What is half life?

A

The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in an isotope to halve.

35
Q

What does a short half life mean?

A

The activity falls quickly.

36
Q

What is background radiation?

A

Radiation that is around us all the time.

37
Q

What is radiation from space known as?

A

Cosmic rays.

38
Q

Why is radiation dangerous?

A

It can enter living cells and ionise atoms and molecules within them, leading to tissue damage.

39
Q

What disease can radiation cause?

A

Cancer.

40
Q

What is nuclear fission?

A

A type of nuclear reaction that is used to release energy from large and unstable atoms by splitting them into smaller atoms.

41
Q

What is nuclear fusion?

A

Fusing atoms together.

42
Q

Does nuclear fusion give out more energy than nuclear fission?

A

Yes.

43
Q

Does nuclear fusion or fission give out more energy?

A

Fusion does.

44
Q

What is a disadvantage to nuclear fusion?

A

It is expensive.

45
Q

Why is nuclear fusion expensive?

A

The temperature and pressure needed is very high.

46
Q

What is a disadvantage to nuclear fission?

A

The risk of explosion.

Physics Gcse AQA 9-1 (5 decks)

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