nuclear radiation

Question 1

what does an atoms nucleus need to be stable?

Answer 1

a certain amount of neutrons for the amount of protons it has

Question 2

nuclei with too many,or too few neutrons exist naturally but are unstable and will ____ by emitting _____

Answer 2

1. decay

2. radiation

Question 3

what are all the types of radioactive decay?

Answer 3

alpha particles,beta particles,gamma rays

Question 4

how do some nuclei become stable

Answer 4

by emitting radiation

Question 5

what is the activity of a radioactive source directly proportional to

Answer 5

the rate at which it decays

Question 6

what is the rate of decay measured as?

Answer 6

becquerels (Bq)

Question 7

what is one becquerel the time equilvelant to?

Answer 7

1 second

Question 8

all three types of nuclear radiation are _____ they are capable of knocking ____ from atoms

Answer 8

1. ionising

2. electrons

Question 9

which type of radio active decay is the most ionising and which is the least

Answer 9

alpha is the mist ionising gamma is the least ionising

Question 10

what are the components of an alpha particle

Answer 10

two neutrons and two protons (the same as a helium nucleus)

ejected from the nucleus

Question 11

what are the components of a beta particle

Answer 11

A high speed electron

ejected from the nucleus as a neutron turns to a proton

Question 12

what are the components of a gamma particle

Answer 12

electromagnetic radiation

emitted from the nucleus

Question 13

hazards of an alpha particle

Answer 13

highly likely to be absorbed and cause damage if passing through living cells

Question 14

hazards of a beta particle

Answer 14

likely to cause damage if absorbed by living cells

can penetrate body to inner organs

Question 15

hazards of gamma particles

Answer 15

likely to pass through living cells without being absorbed and causing ionisation

Question 16

what is radioactive contamination?

Answer 16

the unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials

Question 17

what is the hazard from the contamination due to

Answer 17

the decay of contaminating atoms

Question 18

what is irradation

Answer 18

the process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation

this can be deliberate or accidental

it does not cause the object to be radioactive

Question 19

how can you protect radioactive sources from irradation

Answer 19

using sources of the lowest activity possible for the shortest amount of time possible

wearing protective clothing e.g. a lead apron

not handling sources with bare hands