Topic 4, Part 2 - Atomic Structure Flashcards
what has to balance with nuclear equations
the mass and atomic numbers have to balance
what are alpha particles (ionising, pentration)
radiation, when alpha particle is emitted from nucleus. made fron two neutrons and two protons.
strongly ionsing.
dont penetrate far
what are beta particles (ionising, pentration)
it is a fast-moving elecrton released by the nucleus. have no mass and charge of -1.
moderately ionising.
penetrate moderately far into materials
what are gamma rays (ionising, pentration)
they are waves of electromagnetic radiation released by the nucleus.
weakly ionising.
pass through instead of colliding atoms.
what is half-life
it is how quickly unstable nuclei decay
what is the radioactive process (measured)
it is completely random. you cant predict which nucleus will decay next.
How do you find out the time it takes for the amount of radiation to be emitted
half-life. it can be used to make predictions about radioactive sources.
what can half-life be used for
it can be used for to find out the rate at which a source decays.
how is activity measured
it is measured by becquerels, Bq (1 Bq is 1 decay per second)
what are the risks of using radiation
it can enter living cells and ionise atoms within them. this damages cells or kill them off.
what is irradiation
it is the exposure to radiation. objects near radioactive sources are irradiated.
what is contamination
it is radioactive particles getting onto objects. if unwanted radioactive atoms get onto or into objects
How does the seriousness of irradiation and contamination depend on the source
beta and gamma sources can penetrate the body and can get into organs. alpha sources in the body are the most dangerous
