Radioactivity Flashcards
(10 cards)
1
Q
Nuclear Fission
A
Splitting of a large atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei
2
Q
Nuclear Fusion
A
Fusing of two smaller nuclei into one large nucleus
3
Q
Half life
A
Time taken for half of a nucleus to decay
4
Q
Alpha particle
A
A particle made of two protons and two neutrons, most ionising
5
Q
Beta particle
A
High-speed electron
6
Q
Gamma ray
A
A penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation
7
Q
Controlled nuclear fission
A
Nuclei decay and emit only one neutron
8
Q
Uncontrolled nuclear fission
A
Nuclei decay and emit 2-3 neutrons
9
Q
Activity
A
Rate of decay of an unstable nucleus
10
Q
Count-rate
A
Number of decays recorded per second by a detector (e.g. Geiger-Muller tube). Different to activity because it measures background radiation
