Nuclear Physics Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three types of radiation?

A

Alpha
Beta
Gamma

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2
Q

What must be measured first before a source’s count rate is tested?

A

Background radiation

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3
Q

How do the radiation types deflect in a magnetic field?

A

Alpha and beta deflect in opposite directions
Beta deflects more than alpha due to its smaller mass
Gamma is not deflected

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4
Q

Define intensity of radiation

A

The radiation energy per second passing normally through unit area

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5
Q

Describe the alpha particle scattering experiment

A

Alpha particles were fired at very thin gold in a vacuum. A phosphorous screen around the outside showed where the alpha particles traveled

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6
Q

Describe the observations and conclusions from the alpha particle scattering experiment

A

Most of the fast, highly charged alpha particles went straight through undeflected - SUGGESTS THAT MOST OF THE ATOM IS EMPTY SPACE
Some of the alpha particles were deflected through large angles. - SUGGESTS THAT THERE IS A CONCENTRATED POSITIVE MASS SOMEWHERE IN THE ATOM.
A very small number of alpha particles were deflected backwards - SUGGESTS THAT THE CONCENTRATED MASS IS MINISCULE COMPARED TO THE SIZE OF THE REST OF THE ATOM, BUT CONTAINS MOST OF THE MASS

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7
Q

In a nuclear reaction what must be conserved?

A

Mass/Energy
Momentum
Charge

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8
Q

Describe an alpha particle

A

2 protons and 2 neutrons or a helium nucleus
relative mass = 4
relative charge + 2
Highly ionising
Stopped by skin, paper 10 cm air

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9
Q

Describe a beta particle

A

an electro emitted from the nucleus
relative mass = almost 0
relative charge -1
Moderatly ionising
Stopped by mm’s of aluminium or 1 meter of air

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10
Q

Describe a gamma wave

A

electromagnetic wave moving at the speed of light
relative mass = 0
relative charge 0
Very weakly ionising
Reduced by cm’s lead or meters of concrete

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11
Q

What changes does alpha decay cause to the daughter nucleus?

A

Mass number decreases by 4
Proton number decreases by 2

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12
Q

What changes does beta decay cause to the daughter nucleus?

A

Mass number stays the same
Proton number increases by 1

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13
Q

What changes does gamma decay cause to the daughter nucleus?

A

Mass number stays the same
Proton number stays the same. the nucleus just losses some energy

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14
Q

What changes happen in beta decay?

A

A neutron decays into a proton creating a beta particle and an electron antineutrino.
A down quark decays into an up quark.

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15
Q

Define activity

A

The rate at which any substance emits radioactive particles is called the activity. The activity is measured in Becquerels (Bq)

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16
Q

Define count rate

A

The count rate is simply the number of particles that are counted by a Geiger counter (or some kind of measuring device)

17
Q

What factors will affect the activity of a substance?

A

The number of particles there are in the substance
The natural tendency of a substance to decay (i.e. some substances are naturally more likely to decay more than others)

18
Q

Define half life

A

The half life of a substance is the time it takes for half the number of particles in the substance to decay. It can also be seen as the time it takes for the activity of a substance to fall to half its current value.

19
Q

Define the atomic mass unit

A

It is equal to exactly 1/12th the mass of a carbon 12 atom

20
Q

Define the electronvolt

A

The electronvolt (eV) is the energy gained when 1 electron accelerates through a p.d. of 1 volt

21
Q

How can you convert from eV to J?

A

1 eV = 1.6 x 10-19 J

22
Q

how can you convert from MeV to eV

A

1 x 106 eV = 1MeV

23
Q

Define mass defect

A

The difference between the mass of an atom and the mass of its individual particles is known as the Mass defect, Δm.

24
Q

Define binding energy

A

The binding energy of a nucleus is the energy that would be required to separate a nucleus into its separate constituents

25
Q

Define binding energy per nucleon

A

average energy needed to “break off” just one nucleon from the nucleus.

26
Q

What is the role of fuel rods in a nuclear reactor?

A

Contained in the reactor core and generally made of enriched uranium. Act as fuel source of the fission reactor

27
Q

What is the role of the moderator in a nuclear reactor?

A

Usually made of carbon and also part of the reactor core. Slows down neutrons within the reactor core allowing them to fuse with the uranium and make fission reactions

28
Q

What is the role of the control rods in a nuclear reactor?

A

Made of boron, which can absorb neutrons. These can be lowered into the reactor to control the rate of fission.

29
Q

What is the role of the coolant in a nuclear reactor?

A

The coolant absorbs the heat from the fission reactions. It is then used to heat up water and turn it into high pressure steam

30
Q

What is the role of the turbine and generator in a nuclear reactor?

A

The turbine is turned by the high pressure steam which, in turn, turns the generator. This generates electricity.