6.3 Flashcards
What defines the atom
the number of protons in the nucleus
How to find number of protons in an element
Find the atomic number
How to find the number of electrons in an element
find the atomic number
How to calculate the number of neutrons in an element
Subract atomic number from mass number
Isotopes
Are atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons eg. chlorine
How many isotopes do most elements have
Atleast 2 or more isotopes
Isotopes example
Hydrogen, it also exists as 3 isotopes
What do isotopes sometimes do
SOMETIMES isotopes are unstable, decay and release radiation
Nuclear decay/ radioactive decay
the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation
Why are Protons and neutrons are constantly moving, vibrating, pulsating, rotating and
rearranging.
to cause some atoms release gamma
rays.
What do nuclei occasionally do
releases particles at high speed.
How does the nucleus become stable and decay
When the ratio of protons to neutrons becomes too high,
Radioactive decay/ nuclear decay
results in:
The emission of alpha particles
the emission of beta particles
the emission of gamma rays
what is a beta particle
A beta particle is a fast moving electron which is
emitted from the nucleus of an atom undergoing
radioactive decay.
radiation
Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through space at the speed of light.
