Year 2 Nuclear Physics Flashcards
What is the nucleus of an atom composed of?
Protons and neutrons
True or False: Protons have a positive charge.
True
Which subatomic particle has no charge?
Neutron
What is the charge of an electron?
Negative
What is the atomic number of an element equal to?
Number of protons
What is the mass number of an element equal to?
Number of protons + number of neutrons
What is the term for unstable nuclei that undergo radioactive decay?
Radioactive isotopes
What type of decay involves the emission of an alpha particle?
Alpha decay
What type of decay involves the emission of a beta particle?
Beta decay
What type of decay involves the emission of a gamma ray?
Gamma decay
What is the half-life of a radioactive isotope?
Time taken for half of the nuclei to decay
What is the equation for radioactive decay?
N = N0 * e^(-λt)
What is the unit for activity of a radioactive source?
Becquerel (Bq)
What is the unit for dose equivalent of ionizing radiation?
Sievert (Sv)
What is the term for the process of combining smaller nuclei to form a larger nucleus?
Nuclear fusion
What is the term for the process of splitting a larger nucleus into smaller nuclei?
Nuclear fission
What is the equation for energy released in nuclear reactions?
E = mc^2
What is the term for the minimum amount of fissile material needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction?
Critical mass
What is the term for the process of slowing down fast neutrons to increase the likelihood of fission?
Moderation
What is the material commonly used as a moderator in nuclear reactors?
Graphite
What is the term for the process of absorbing excess neutrons to control the rate of fission?
Control rods
What is the term for the reaction in which the nucleus absorbs a neutron and then splits into two smaller nuclei?
Nuclear chain reaction