Radioactivity And Particles Flashcards
Isotope
Atoms with the same number of protons and different number of neutrons
Ion
A charged atom that is charged by gaining or losing electrons
Half life
The average time taken for half the unstable nuclei to decay
Alpha charge
Positive
Alpha ionising power
High because of their positive charge, large mass and relatively slow
Alpha penetrating power
Low because they are large
Can alpha be deflected
Yes
Beta charge
Negative (fast moving electron)
Contaminated
Radioactive material inside the object which can decay and emit radiation
Irradiated
Radiation has passed through and killed bacteria (sterilising)
Natural background radiation sources
Food and drink, cosmic rays, radon gas, buildings
Artificial background radiation sources
Medical, nuclear power
What can detect ionising radiation
Photographic film and a Geiger Muller detector
Shielding use
Absorb the ionising radiation
Activity
The number of unstable nuclei that decay per second
Coolant
Removes or transfers heat generated by the reactor core during the fission process
Moderator
Slows down the neutrons and keeps the reaction happening (made of graphite or water)
Control rods
Control the radiation by absorbing neutrons
What are alpha, beta and gamma
Ionising radiation emitted from unstable nuclei in a random process
nucleon
a particle inside the nucleus (proton or neutron)
nucleus
where most of the mass of the atom is found
Ionising radiation
Radiation that can ionise another atom (lose or gain electrons)
What happens if a nucleus is unstable
It will try to stabilise itself by emitting ionising radiation. The nuclei of unstable isotopes decay randomly.
How to detect radiation with photographic plates
-radiation changes colour of plates
-no change of colour where the key is (metal absorbs)
