Radioactivity Flashcards
What is an Isotope?
An atom with a different mass number but the same atomic number. There can be many isotopes of an atom, each with a different number of neutrons.
What happens when more neutrons are added to an atom?
The nucleus gets bigger
What happens when the nucleus gets too big?
The repulsion of the protons can overcome the strong nuclear force, causing some particles to split away from the nucleus of the atom.
What is nuclear decay?
When an atom releases a huge amount of energy in the form of alpha, beta particles or gamma radiation
What are radioisotopes?
Isotopes that undergo nuclear decay
What does alpha decay cause?
Causes the nucleus to eject an alpha particle
What is an alpha particle?
A particle with 2 protons and 2 neutrons, identical to a helium atom
What happens during alpha decay?
The original atom loses protons, meaning that when the alpha particle is ejected, two new atoms are formed as a result of this nuclear decay
How does beta decay occur?
When the nucleus ejects a beta particle
What is a beta particle?
It is identical to an electron, very small, light and negatively charged
What happens during beta decay?
A neutron is converted to a proton in the nucleus. This means the number of protons (and the atomic number) increases by 1.
What does Gamma decay involve?
Existing particles rearranging into new positions
When Gamma decay happens what is released?
Gamma radiation ( extremely powerful and can cause significant harm to living things)
What is the nucleus called after decaying?
A daughter nucleus
What is the speed of an Alpha particle?
10% speed of light
