Particle Physics Flashcards
(55 cards)
What are protons and neutrons collectively known as
Nucleon
What is the relative mass of a proton and neutron
1
What is the relative charge of a proton
+1
What is the relative charge of a neutron
0
What is the relative charge of an electron
-1
What does changing an element’s protons make
A new element
What does changing an element’s neutrons make
An isotope
What does changing an element’s electrons make
An ion
What do unstable isotopes decay into
More stable isotopes
What is specific charge
The amount of charge an object has per kilogram
What are the four fundamental forces
SNF, WNF, gravity and electromagnetic
How would you describe the range of the strong nuclear force
Has a very short range
If nucleons are between 0 and 0.5 fm what force does the strong nuclear force have
Repulsive
If nucleons are between 0.5 and 3 fm what force does the strong nuclear force have
Attractive
What effect does the strong nuclear force have on nucleons when they are past a distance of 3 fento metres away from each other.
No effect
What are the three main reason why an atoms nucleus may be unstable
Too much mass, imbalance of protons and too much energy
What type of decay is used if an atoms nucleus has too much mass
Alpha decay
What type of decay is used if an atoms nucleus have an imbalance in protons and neutrons
Beta decay
What type of decay is used if an atoms nucleus has too much energy
Gamma decay
What is an alpha decay particle made up of
Two protons and two neutrons
What are photons
A packet of electromagnetic waves
Do photons have mass or charge
No
What does a particle and its antiparticle have in common
Its mass is identical
What does a particle and its antiparticle not have in common
Every other property apart from mass is opposite
