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Physics > Radiation > Flashcards

Radiation Flashcards

1
Q

What is an isotope

A

Is an atom of the same element with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons

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2
Q

What is radiation

A

Isotopes can become unstable and emit radiation from their nucleus

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3
Q

Give the 4 main types of radiation

A

Alpha
Beta
Gamma
Neutron

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4
Q

What does it mean by a random process

A

We cannot tell when a single nucleus will decay

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5
Q

What is background radiation

A

The natural level of radiation that we find in air

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6
Q

Give some examples of background radiation

A 
Radon gas (the air around us)
Buildings, rocks and soil
Cosmic rays
Medical equipment
Food and drink
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7
Q

Give the name of a detector that measure radiation levels

A

Geiger - Muller tube

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8
Q

What is an ion

A

An atom or a molecule with a charge

It can either be +ve or -ve

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9
Q

What is Ionisation

A

Is the REMOVAL or ADDITION of an ELECTRON to create an ION. Electrons can be lost from an atom because of ionising radiation

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10
Q

What is alpha radiation

A 
Helium nucleus
2 protons and 2 neutrons
Heavy
Stopped by paper
10cm range in air
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11
Q

What is Beta

A

An electron
-1 charge
Stopped by a few mm of aluminium
1m range in air

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12
Q

What is Gamma

A

Electromagnetic wave
High energy
0 charge
Km’s range in air

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13
Q

What is neutron radiation

A

Neutrons are edited by radioactive material. They have roughly the same mass as a proton but have no electric charge (they are neutral)

As they are not electrically charged, neutrons emitted by a nucleus do not cause ionisation. They can be absorbed b other nuclei

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14
Q

What are the units we use for a radioactive source

A

Bq

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15
Q

What is a half life

A

The amount f time taken for half of the NUCLEI in a SAMPLE to decay.
The activity of a radioactive sample decreases over time

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16
Q

How do you find the half life on a graph

A

Calculated by halving the activity and checking the corresponding time, we do this more than once and the average

17
Q

Give the dangers of alpha radiation

A

The most ionising radiation

Can only cause ham if it’s inside the body

18
Q

Give the dangers of Beta and Gamma radiation

A

They have much less chance of ionising your cells. However they are able to penetrate the skin

19
Q

What is irradiation

A

Is where someone is exposed to radiation

20
Q

What is contamination

A

Is where we absorb radioactive material such as dust. This then emits radiation

21
Q

Give 3 uses of radiation in the Industry

A

Gamma radiography
Gauging
Pipe tracers

22
Q

What is radiography

A

Used to see through an object without destroying it

Certain materials are better at absorbing gamma rays ( allowing us to create an image of the object)

e.g X-rays at airports

23
Q

What is Gauging

A

Can be used to measure the amount of material inside a tube or a container

It can also be used to determine the type or thickness e.g when pressing sheet metal

24
Q

What are pipe tracers

A

Can be used to find a leak in the pipes
Radioactive gamma with a sort half life is ut in a liquid and run through a pipe.
When the amount of radiation in the surface changes, you have found a leak

25
Q

What are medical tracers

A

Radioactive tracers which are used to investigate a patients body without the need for surgery. Gamma and Beta emitters are used as they can penetrate the skin whereas alpha can’t. A small amount of radioactive material is put into the patients body, a detector can then detect any Gamma or Beta rays that pass out the body

26
Q

What is radiotherapy

A

Gamma rays are focused on the tutor to kill the cells. This is done by using a wide beam of gamma rays but rotating it around keeping the tutor at the centre.

27
Q

What is sterilisation

A

Gamma rays pass through the packaging and inactivate viruses and kill bacteria. S long as the equipment remains in a sealed package, it will remain sterile.

28
Q

Explain carbon dating

A

All living things absorb and emit radiation and so maintain a constant level while they are living.

When they die, this level is no longer constant. The Carbon-14 isotope that was present at death decays over time.

Because we know the half life of Carbon-14, we can measure the radioactivity of a fossil/skeleton and estimate how long it has been dead

Physics (23 decks)

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