Radiation Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are the three types of radiation ?
Alpha beta and gamma
What is the alpha particle made up of?
2 protons and 2 neutrons
What is the relative mass and charge of an alpha particle?
Relative mass = 4
Relative charge= +2
What is a beta particle made up of?
An electron
What is the relative mass and charge of a beta particle?
Relative mass is effectively 0 and relative charge is -1.
What is gamma radiation?
A high energy high frequency wave with no mass or charge.
Which type of nuclear radiation is most dangerous?
Alpha is the biggest with the greatest charge therefore the most ionising. Ionising can mutate or kill a cell.
In order which radiation is most to least Ionising?
Most- alpha, beta, gamma - Least
What is the range of alpha in air and what is it stopped by?
Range in air- a few cm.
Stopped by thin paper
What is the range of beta in air and what is it stopped by?
Range in air- 1m
Stopped by aluminium
What is the range of gamma in air and what is it stopped by?
Range in air- unlimited
Stopped by concrete or lead
Radioactive particles in magnetic and electric fields
South= negative North= positive
Alpha particles are deflected south as has a positive charge and opposites attract. Beta has a negative charge so is deflected North. Gamma has no charge so isn’t attracted
(Same in electric field- beta goes to positive and alpha to negative)
How does mass and atomic number change in alpha decay?
Mass number decreases by 4
Atomic number decreases by 2
How does mass and atomic number change in beta decay?
Atomic number increases by one
What is half life?
The half life of a radioactive isotope is the average time it takes for the number of nuclei in the isotope to have or the time it takes for the count rate from a sample to fall to half the initial level
