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Physics > 7 Radioactivity and Particles > Flashcards

7 Radioactivity and Particles Flashcards

1
Q

Mass number

A

Number of protons + neutrons

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2
Q

Atomic Number

A

Number of protons

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3
Q

Proton Relative Charge

A

+1

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4
Q

Proton relative mass

A

1

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5
Q

Neutron relative charge

A

0

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6
Q

Neutron relative mass

A

1

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7
Q

Electron relative charge

A

-1

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8
Q

Electron relative mass

A

1/2000

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9
Q

Atom

A

Same number of protons and electrons

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10
Q

Ion

A

Different number of protons or electrons

Positive or negative

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11
Q

Isotopes of an element

A

Same number of protons
Different number of neutrons

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12
Q

Ionising Radiation

A

Produced when an unstable nucleus decays
It is a spontaneous and random process

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13
Q

Alpha Particle

A

2 protons, 2 neutons = helium nucleus

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14
Q

Alpha decay

A

2 protons + 2 neutrons (an alpha particle) are ejected from the parent nucleus.
Leaves behind a smaller daughter nucleus + energy

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15
Q

Beta Particle

A

Electron

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16
Q

Beta Decay

A

A neutron decays to a proton (remains in the nucleus) and an electron (which is ejected at high speed as a beta particle)

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17
Q

Gamma

A

Following alpha or beta decay, the daughter nucleus is left in an excited state. So it gets rid of this excess energy by emitting a gamma ray.

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18
Q

Alpha ionising power

A

High

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19
Q

Beta ionising power

A

Medium

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20
Q

Gamma ionising power

A

Low

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21
Q

Alpha penetrating power

22
Q

Beta penetrating power

23
Q

Gamma penetrating power

24
Q

Alpha range in air

25
Beta range in air
500 - 1000cm
26
Gamma range in air
Infinite
27
Barrier to stop alpha
Paper
28
Barrier to stop beta
3mm aluminum
29
Barrier to stop gamma
Thick sheet of lead
30
What can be used to measure ionising radiation
Photographic Film Geiger Muller Tube
31
Measuring ionising radiation: Photographic film
Radiographers work in nuclear plants so they wear a holder containing photographic film (sensitive to ionising radiation) Periodically is sent for developing ->the darker the film, the more radioactive exposure
32
Measuring ionising radiation: Geiger Muller Tube
A gas is ionised by any incoming radiation, allowing a small current to flow. The pulses of current are detected and converted to a count
33
Uses of Radioactivity in industry + medicine
Thickness monitoring Non destructive testing Radioactive decay Radiotherapy Medical Tracers
34
Uses of radioactivity: Radioactive decay
Small amounts of carbon-14 pass in and out of an organism when it dies This carbon-14 becomes trapped and the radioactive activity decreases -> this activity can be measured to work out the age
35
Uses of radioactivity: Radiotherapy
Ionising radiation can be targeted at unwanted cells e.g. cancerous cells to kill them
36
Uses of radioactivity: Medical Tracers
Small amounts of radioactive substances (normally gamma emitters) can be ingested into the human body as tracers. Gamma - emitters have short half lives. The radioactivity is detected externally, and help diagnose health problems
37
Contamination
If a gamma source is wiped on an object, some of the radioactive nuclei are transferred to the object -> the object becomes radioactive
38
Irradiation
If an object is exposed to a gamma source, it kills bacteria -> the object does not become radioactive
39
Dangers of ionising radiation
Can ionise atoms in living cells -> can cause mutations, which can cause death Can damage cells + tissues
40
Half - lives
The time taken for half the number of original nuclei to decay The time taken for the activity to half
41
What can be a source of energy?
Nucleur reactions
42
Nucleur Fission
1. A neutron is absorbed by a Uranium-235 nucleus 2. The resulting nucleus Uranium - 236 is radioactive 3. Uranium - 236 splits into 2 lighter nuclei (krypton and barium), 3 neutrons, and gamma radiation 4. The 3 neutrons cause further fissions = chain reaction
43
What is fusion the energy store in?
Stars
44
Conditions for Nuclear Fusion
Only works at high temp. + pressures to cause 2 positive hydrogen isotopes to attract.
45
Equation for Nuclear Fusion
2 hydrogen isotopes fuse to form a helium nucleus + neutron The helium nucleus and neutron have a lower mass than reactants due to energy being released.
46
Parts of Nuclear Fission Reactor
* Control Rods * Moderator * Fuel Rods * Coolant
47
Nuclear Fission Reactor: Control Rods
Boron Absorbs neutrons and can be moved in and out of the core.
48
Nuclear Fission Reactor: Pressure Vessel
Steel + concrete Stops ionising radiation from escaping
49
Nuclear Fission Reactor: Moderator
Graphite Slows down fast moving neutrons so that they are more likely to be absorbed by Uranium - 235
50
Nuclear Fission Reactor: Fuel Rods
Uranium - 235

Physics (8 decks)

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