Nuclear Chemistry U3 Flashcards
What are the three types of radiation
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
What are alpha particles
Slow moving positively charged particles attracted to the negative plate
What atom is an alpha particle identical to
Helium
What will stop an alpha particle
A few centimetres of air
What are beta particles
Fast moving negatively charged particles attracted to the positive plate
What does beta radiation consist of
Beta radiation consists of high energy electrons emitted from the nucleus
What will stop beta particles
While it will pass through air it will not penetrate through thin metal foil
What is gamma radiation
Electromagnetic radiation (travels at the speed of light). Gamma radiation is a very short wave length
Where do gamma waves come from
The nucleus of a radioactive atom
What will stop a gamma wave
Thick lead or concrete will absorb gamma rays
Four things about an alpha particle
Same as a helium atom (mass no. 4, atomic no. 2)
Most damaging
Not penetrating
Can’t get through large particles
Four things about beta particles
Same as high energy electrons (mass no. 0, atomic no. -1)
Negative so attracted to negative things
Particulate (particles) radiation
Can penetrate through things
Three things about gamma waves
Wave not a particle so doesn’t get an atomic or mass number
Least damaging
Can penetrate through things
What does half life mean
The half life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for half if the atoms in a sample to decay
