nuclear chemistry Flashcards
1
Q
what are the three types of radiation?
A
- alpha (α)
- beta (β)
- gamma (γ)
2
Q
ALPHA
A
- slow moving positively charged particle
- attracted to the negative plate
3
Q
BETA
A
- fast moving negatively charged particle
- attracted to the positive plate
4
Q
GAMMA
A
electromagnetic radiation which travels at the speed of light
5
Q
what can alpha radiation be stopped by?
A
- a few centimeters of air
- a sheet of paper
- a human hand
6
Q
what can beta radiation be stopped by?
A
a thin sheet of aluminium
7
Q
what can gamma radiation be stopped by?
A
thick lead or concrete
8
Q
ALPHA DECAY
A
4
He
2
9
Q
BETA DECAY
A
0
e
-1
10
Q
what happens during alpha decay?
A
mass number decreases by 4
atomic number decreases by 2
11
Q
what happens during beta decay?
A
mass number stays the same
atomic number increases by 1
12
Q
what is a radioisotope?
A
atoms that contain an unstable combination of protons and neutrons, or excess energy in their nucleus
13
Q
define the term half-life
A
the time taken for the nuclei of an isotope to half its radioactivity
