Radioactive Isotopes Flashcards

1
Q

What is at the top left of the nuclear notation of an element?

A

The mass number

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is at the bottom left of the nuclear notation of an element?

A

The atomic number

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is in the middle of the nuclear notation of an element?

A

The element’s symbol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How do you find the mass number?

A

The mass number is the sum of the protons and neutrons of an element?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are Isotopes?

A

Isotopes are atoms with the same atomic number but
different mass numbers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the two classifications of Isotopes?

A

Stable isotopes and unstable isotopes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are stable isotopes?

A

Stable isotopes are isotopes that do not have distinguishing characteristics other than their masses and are obtained from natural resources

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are radioactive isotopes?

A

Radioactive isotopes are isotopes that continuously and spontaneously decay in other lower atomic weight isotopes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is Radioactivity?

A

Radioactivity is the process whereby unstable atomic nuclei release energetic subatomic particles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the two ways in which radioactive isotopes occur?

A

They occur naturally and artificially

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the properties of radioactive isotopes?

A
  1. Emits radiation
  2. Half life
  3. Penetration properties
  4. Same chemical properties
  5. Different physical properties
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How do radioactive isotopes become stable?

A

Radioactive isotopes are unstable so they undergo radioactive decay emitting radiations, till they become stable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the three types of radiation?

A

Alpha particles(α)
Beta particles(β)
Gamma rays(y)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is Half life?

A

Half life is the time period required for radionuclide to decay to one half the amount originally present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are two characteristics of a stable isotope?

A

Most abundantly found in nature
Atomic number and mass are constant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are two characteristics of an unstable isotope?

A

Spontaneous emission
of radiations(α,β,γ)
Constantly changing

16
Q

What are 3 radioactive isotopes?

A

Carbon-14
Hydrogen-3
Uranium-238

17
Q

What’s a usage of carbon-14?

A

Carbon-14 can be used to determine the ages of plant and animal remains

18
Q

What are two uses of radioactive isotopes?

A

Radiotherapy
Energy generation

19
Q

Explain radiotherapy

A

A specific radioactive isotope can be injected into a cancerous tumor to treat it

20
Q

Explain energy generation

A

A uranium-235 atom struck by a fast neutron splits into smaller atoms releasing neutrons and heat energy