Unit 1.2 - Basic ideas about atoms Flashcards
What is radioactivity?
When an unstable atomic nucleus decays, it spontaneously forms a new element by emitting ionising radiation, like alpha, beta or gamma
What is an alpha particle?
Helium nucleus
Alpha particle charge?
2+
Alpha particle relative mass
4
Alpha symbol
4
a
2
What is a beta particle?
An electron
Beta particle relative charge
-1
Beta particle relative mass
(about) 0
Beta symbol
0
B
-1
What is a gamma wave?
Electromagnetic wave
What is a gamma waves relative charge?
0
What is a gamma waves relative mass?
0
Gamma symbol
0
Y
0
Alpha penetrating power
Stopped by paper
Beta penetrating power
A few mm’s of aluminium
Gamma penetrating power
Decreased by a few cm’s of lead of concrete
Which type of radioactive particle is the most ionising and which is the least?
Most - alpha
Least - gamma
What is nuclear decay?
When a radioisotope decays, forming a new element, meaning its properties can be deduced
What decays for radioactivity?
Unstable atomic nucleus
What decays for nuclear decay?
Radioisotopes
What happens during gamma radiation? Why?
No new element is formed as it’s only emitted when an atom loses energy
When is gamma radiation emitted?
When an atom loses energy
What happens when alpha particles undergo nuclear decay?
Emits a helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons)
What happens to the mass and atomic number of the nucleus when undergoing the decay of alpha particles?
Mass number - loses four units of mass number
Atomic number - loses 2 units