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Physics 10 > Unit 2: Nuclear Energy > Flashcards

Unit 2: Nuclear Energy Flashcards

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1
Q

What is radiation?

A

the transfer of energy in the form of an electromagnetic wave

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2
Q

What is the smallest form of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

gamma rays, they are the size of atomic nuclei

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3
Q

What is the largest form of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

radio rays, they are the size of buildings to the size of humans

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4
Q

how does a longer wavelength affect the frequency and energy?

A

Lower frequency and less energy

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5
Q

How does a higher wavelength affect the frequency and energy?

A

higher frequency and more energy

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6
Q

What is the not harmful radiation called?

A

non ionizing radiation. Most radiation is not harmful to living things.

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7
Q

What are some examples of non ionizing radiation?

A

Radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light and the lower parts of ultraviolet rays.

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8
Q

What is the harmful radiation called?

A

ionizing radiation. When they interact with matter (ex. living tissue) it ionizes atoms, setting electrons free. This causes

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9
Q

What are some examples of ionizing radiation?

A

upper part of ultraviolet rays, x-rays and gamma rays.

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10
Q

What is a model?

A

an organized explanation for how something works.

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11
Q

According to a Bohr model, what is the structure of an atom?

A

in the Centre there is the nucleus, this contains positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons. around the nucleus are negatively charged electrons.

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12
Q

what are nucleons?

A

protons and neutrons

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13
Q

if we add or remove electrons from an atom, is it still the same element?

A

yes, it is an ion

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14
Q

if we add or remove protons, is it still the same element?

A

yes, its a different isotope.

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15
Q

if we add or remove protons, is it still the same element?

A

no, the number of protons determine the element

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16
Q

What does the main letter in the period table called?

A

atomic symbol for the element

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17
Q

What is the small number to the upper left of the atomic symbol on the periodic table?

A

atomic mass number, not the mass of the atom but the total number of neutrons.

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18
Q

What is the small number in the lower left of the atomic symbol on the periodic table?

A

atomic number, the number of protons. When the atom is not ionized this is also the number of electrons.

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19
Q

What is nuclear radiation?

A

one type of both electromagnetic waves and particles.

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20
Q

What is a radioactive element?

A

an element that emits radiation from its nucleus

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21
Q

What are alpha particles?

A

made out of helium nuclei and consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. They are positively charged. Causes a change in element (transmutation)

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22
Q

What are beta particles?

A

electrons (not the ones orbiting nucleus). They are negatively charged and cause of a change in element.

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23
Q

What is a transmutation?

A

The process of one element changing into another

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24
Q

What is gamma radiation?

A

they are not particles, they’re high frequency electromagnetic waves and do not change the element

25
Q

If alpa particles are givven off in a transmutation what is it called?

A

a-decay (other type of a)

26
Q

If beta particles are given off what is it called?

A

B-decay (a little tail on the bottom left of the B

27
Q

what is decay?

A

an element changing into another element with less mass

28
Q

What are alpha decays characteristics?

A

positively charged, it is affected by an electric or magnetic field. They travel the slowest and are the least penetrating (a 4mm piece of paper can stop it)

29
Q

What is in a nucleon?

A

protons and neutrons

30
Q

What is a radioactive element?

A

an element that gives off radiation when it undergoes a change in its nucleus

31
Q

When an atom undergoes alpha decay the atomic number…

A

goes down by 2

32
Q

When an atom undergoes beta decay, the atomic number…

A

goes up by one

33
Q

When an atom undergoes gamma decay, the atomic number…

A

stays the same

34
Q

in beta decay, what happens?

A

a neutron becomes a proton

35
Q

what happens when you breath in helium from a balloon?

A

breathing in alpha particles are not dangerous. They are kinetic energy of the particles

36
Q

What are the characteristics of beta decay?

A

they are negatively charged so it can be affected by electric or magnetic field. They are high speed electrons and penetrate well though gamma are quicker and penetrate more (up to a meter in the air, and takes several pieces of aluminum to stop)

37
Q

What is the mass of beta particles?

A

no mass

38
Q

How can a nucleus gain a proton, lose a beta particle (electron) and show no change in mass?

A

A neutron changes into a proton plus an electron, and the electron emits as a beta particle (along with antineutrino, a small particle with no mass). The protons mass is so similar to the mass of the neutron and therefore the atomic mass number doesn’t change.

39
Q

What are gamma radiations characteristics?

A

no change in element. They travel at the speed of light and the highest penetrating. The symbol is an upside down cursive L. Not affected by electric or magnetic fields, goes from excited to relaxed state.

40
Q

Why does fusion give off more energy than fission?

A

the change in mass is greater, when protons and neutrons are bonded they loose mass. The missing mass equals missing energy

41
Q

What is the half life?

A

a scientists prediction of how long it takes for half of a quantity of an element to decay

42
Q

What does a long half life show?

A

The atom takes a long time to decay, thus the substance isn’t very radioactive

43
Q

What does a short half life show?

A

The atom decays quickly, thus it is very radioactive

44
Q

Why can ionizing radiation be good?

A

many elements are naturally radioactive, certain isotopes are radioactive and others are not. Scientists can cause radioactive decay to occur by bombarding nucleus with a small particle (proton or neutron) thus causing the production of a completely new element.

45
Q

Why can ionizing radiation be bad?

A

It can cause a biological effect, by damaging the basic units where living things are made. The energy from the raditation tranfers to the atoms and causes a lose in electrons thus becoming positively charged.

46
Q

How is cell reproduction affected by radiation?

A

DNA molecules are affected as they can be destroyed. If the cell is still alive it may have trouble dividing if it can at all. May cause a mutation

47
Q

What is the relationship between cancer and radiation?

A

when typical cell division goes astray cancer occurs. Radiation can be used to treat cancer although as it slows cell reproduction.

48
Q

What happens to energy in chemical nuclear nd reactions?

A

energy is either liberated or absorbed

49
Q

Where does the energy come from in a transmutation?

A

Einstein suggests mass is a form of energy, so if the mass decreases the energy increases.

50
Q

What is nuclear energy?

A

the energy that originates in the conversion of nuclear mass into energy

51
Q

What is nuclear fission?

A

the division of a heavy nucleus into 2 or more lighter nuclei called fission. Useful source or energy and explosive weapon

52
Q

What is the most common fission reaction?

A

the fission of 235/92 U when bombarded with slow moving neutron

53
Q

How does an atomic bomb occur?

A

2 or more electrons are released in the process of fission. If this continues it creates a chain reaction, without control is becomes an atomic bomb.

54
Q

What is nuclear fusion?

A

instead of splitting a heavy nucleus into 2 lighter ones, two very light nuclei are combined to form a heavier one

55
Q

Why is fusion difficult?

A

a positive nucleus of one atom repels another thus causing the 2 nuclei to be very difficult to join. By heating to a very high temperature they are given enough speed to collide and form a helium nucleus (simular to the sun)

56
Q

Can we use fusion in a controlled situation?

A

its possible though inconvenient as a very high temperature is needed.

57
Q

What are the advantages of fusion?

A

fuel is abundant and cheap. The by products (helium and neutrons) are also harmless

58
Q

What are the disadvantages of fusion?

A

to be a useful reactor is should produce more energy than it consumes. So far we cant have sustained controlled fusion without applying more energy in than what comes out. We are close.

Physics 10 (2 decks)

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