Chapter 8- Radioactivity Flashcards
Name 2 famous scientists in the field of Radioactivity:
What are they known for?
Henri Becquerel who is known for discovering radioactivity.
Pierre and Marie Cure who discovered Polonium and Radium.
Name the 3 forms of radiation:
Alpha, Beta & Gamma
Define Radioactivity
Radioactivity is the spontaneous breaking up of unstable nuclei with the emission of one or more types of radiation.
What are Alpha particles?
Alpha particles are slow groups of 2 protons and neutrons (identical to helium nucleus) that are emitted from the unstable nucleus of a radioactive element.
What are Beta particles?
Beta particles are fast moving electrons. They form when a neutron in an unstable nucleus transforms into a proton and an electron, these electron are then ejected from the nucleus.
Define Gamma Radiation
Gamma radiation is high-energy electromagnetic radiation that travels at the speed of light that forms when an unstable nucleus needs to lose surplus energy.
Define the term “nuclear reaction”
A nuclear reaction is a process that alters the composition, structure or energy of an atomic nucleus.
What is the “half-life” of an element?
The half-life of an element is the time it takes for half of the nuclei of an element to decay.
What is a radioscope?
A radioscope is a radioactive isotope
Define the term “carbon dating”
Carbon dating is a technique used to determine the age of an object containing carbon by analysing the ratio of carbon-14 to carbon-12 in said object.
How is Radioactive radiation detected?
A Geiger-Muller Tube
