Topic 6 Radioactivity Flashcards
What is the structure of the atom?
Atoms have a nucleus containing protons and neutrons. Electrons move around the nucleus of the atom. An atom has the same number of protons and electrons.
Charge of a proton= +1
Charge of an electron= -1
Charge of a neutron= 0
What are isotopes?
Atoms of a particular element with the same number of protons and electrons and a different number of neutrons
How can you form a positive ion?
Atoms become positively charged particles when they lose electrons
Emitting in radiation
Alpha, beta and gamma and neutron radiation are emitted from unstable nuclei in a random process
What type of radiation are alpha,beta and gamma rays?
Ionising
What is background radiation?
When we are always exposed to ionising radiation
What is the Geiger-muller tube?
The tube is used to detect nuclear radiation. It is connected to a rate meter which shows the amount of radiation been detected.
What can alpha radiation be blocked by?
Almost anything
What can beta be blocked by?
Aluminium
What can can gamma rays be blocked by?
Lead
What is alpha’s penetration and ionising rate at?
Penetration= short
Ionising= high
What is beta’s penetration and ionising rate at?
Penetration=medium
Ionising= moderate
What is gamma’s Penetration and ionising rate?
Penetration= very long
Ionising= low
What happens in beta- minus decay?
A neutron in the nucleus’s is unstable atom decays to become a proton and a electron
What happens in beta- plus decay?
A proton in the nucleus decays to become a neutron and a positron
