what are the three types of nuclear radiation in order?
Alpha, beta, Gamma
describe alpha radiation
has the highest ionization ability, but the lowest penetrating which makes it safer. it happens when a nucleus loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
describe beta radiation
its ionization and penration are both in the middle. a beta particle is an electron.
describe gamma radiation
a gamma ray is a high energy photon. has the lowest ionization ability, but the highest penetrating, making it very dangerous.
what is radioactive decay
when unstable atoms deacy, they give off radiation. the atoms decay in order to become an element with a stable nucleus
nuclear power plants?
a power plant that generates electricity using heat from nuclear reactions, which heats water and the steam makes a turbine move.
what is beta negative decay?
It releases 1 high energy electron. for the equation, its +1 proton, -1 neutron, -1 electron.
what is alpha decay?
alpha decay releaes 2 protons and 2 neutrons, (1 alpha particle). -2 protons, -2 neutrons. when alpha decay occurs, the atom goes through transmutation.
what is gamma ray decay?
it releases 1 high energy photon. the nucleus goes from excited to ground state.
What is the big bang theory?
all of the current and past matter in the universe came into existence at the same time, roughly 13.77-13.82 billion years ago.
What are the 4 pillars of the big bang theory?
- Expansion of the universe
- cosmic microwave radiation
- abundance of light elements
- formation of large scale structures
What is the Doppler effect?
The Doppler effect is what happens when a sound (or light) source moves toward or away from you:
Moving toward you ➜ the sound or light gets higher in pitch or bluer.
Moving away from you ➜ the sound or light gets lower in pitch or redder.
Red vs blue shifting
Redshift: Object is moving away, waves get longer, light shifts toward red.
Blueshift: Object is moving toward you, Waves get shorter, Light shifts toward blue
Non-renewable vs Renewable energy
Non-renewable: finite. nuclear energy caused by nuclear fission, oil, gas, coal.
What is mechanical energy?
the energy possessed by an object due to its motion or position. It can be potential or kinetic, TME is sum of kinetic and potential energy.
What is kinetic energy and the equation?
Energy in motion. KE=1/2-m^2-v^2
What is potential energy and the equation?
stored energy. PEgrav=m-g-h
Equations for speed, velocity and acceleration?
