Radioactivity Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are Isotopes
They are the atoms of an element with different numbers of neutrons. They have the same proton number, but different mass numbers.
What is a half-life
Although radioactive decay is a random process, statistically, over a time called the half-life, half of the parent radioactive nuclei will have decayed.
How do you calculate how long it will take to reach a mass
See how many times the mass halves and times it by the half life
What can Nuclear radiation do
It can ionize chemicals within a body, which changes the way the cells behave. It can also deposit large amounts of energy into the body, which can damage or destroy cells completely.
What can radiation do to the eyes
It can causes cataracts
What can radiation do to the thyroid
It can build up and cause cancer, particularly during growth.
What can radiation do to the lungs
Damage DNA
What can radiation do to the stomach
Radioactive isotopes can sit in the stomach and irradiate for a long time.
What can radiation do to the reproductive organs
It can can cause sterility or mutations
What can radiation do to the skin
It can burn skin or cause cancer
What can radiation do to the Brone Marrow
It can cause leukaemia and other diseases of the blood
How do you prevent the effects of radiation
keep radioactive sources like technetium-99 shielded (preferably in a lead-lined box) when not in use
wear protective clothing to prevent the body becoming contaminated
should radioactive isotopes leak out
avoid contact with bare skin and do not attempt to taste the sources
wear face masks to avoid breathing in materials
limit exposure time - so less time is spent around radioactive materials
handle radioactive materials with tongs in order to keep a safer distance from sources
monitor exposure using detector badges, etc
Uses of Radiation
Radioactive isotopes can be used as medical and industrial tracers
Imaging processes can replace some invasive surgical procedures
How does Nuclear Fusion work
Nuclear fusion is when two small, daughter nuclei join together to make one heavier nucleus. Fusion reactions occur in stars where, for example, two hydrogen nuclei fuse together under high temperatures and pressure to form a nucleus of a helium isotope.
How does Nuclear Fission work?
A slow moving neutron is fired at a nucleus which becomes unstable and splits
into two daughter nuclei, releasing energy and neutrons which will cause a chain reaction
