Radioactivity Flashcards
What is an isotope?
Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.
How big is the radius of an atom?
1x10^-10m
What does it mean if an atom is radioactive?
If an atom is radioactive it means it emits ionising radiation or particles.
What is an alpha particle?
An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons and can be also called a helium nucleus,
What is a beta particle?
A fast moving electron emitted from the nucleus when a neutron in the nucleus turns into a proton.
What happens to the mass number and atomic number in alpha radiation?
The mass number will decrease by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2.
Explain why ionising radiation is dangerous?
Ionising radiation is dangerous because the ionisation can mutate DNA, potentially leading to abnormal cell growth.
What happens to the mass number and the atomic number in beta radiation?
The mass number stays the same and the atomic number increases by 1.
