Radiation + Applications Of Electromagnetic Waves Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is count rate?
Number of decays recorded each second by a detector e.g Geiger- muller tube
What is ‘activity’? And what is it measured in?
The rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays , measured in becquerel (Bq)
What is half life?
The time it takes from a number of nuclei of the isotope in a sample to halve
What is a way to describe the pattern of radioactive decay?
Random
What is ‘irridation’? And what happens to an irradiated object?
- The process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation
- irradiated object doesn’t become radioactive
What is a nuclear equation used for?
- used to represent and calculate radioactive decays
What is the particle symbol of a beta particle?
0
E
-1
What is the symbol for gamma radiation, alpha radiation and beta radiation?
Gamma - y
Alpha - a
Beta - B(with an elongated straight bit)
Why are some isotopes unstable?
Their are large in size
Too many or too few neutrons
What determines how hazardous a substance is?
The type of radiation an item is exposed to
Why is radioactive contamination hazardous?
-hazardous due to the decay of the contaminated atoms
What is the purpose of radiation?
- to make an atom more stable by releasing excess energy
What is ionizing?
When an electron is removed from an orbital by high energy radiation
Why is ionizing radiation dangerous?
- can damage cells
- damaged cells can lead to canacer
- in high doses can kill cells
