When radioactive substances decay Flashcards
Radioactive substances emit radiation from the…
Nuclei of their atoms at all time.
What charge does an atom have
none.
Radioactive decay has a……….nature.
Random.
natural sources of radiation
Cosmic(space) and from rocks.
Man made sources of radiation
nuclear weapons and accidents.
How many protons and neutrons does an alpha particle have?
Two of each.
Where does an electron in a beta particle come from?
The nucleus.
What type of radiation does gamma radiation have?
Electromagnetic.
Alpha decay…
The atomic mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2.
What happens to the neutron in beta decay?
It changes into a proton plus(electron)
Beta decay…
The atomic mass number stays the same and the atomic number increases by 1.
What would the beta particle look like in a equation?
0
B
-1
What are the ‘daughter’ elements from decays?
The leftovers.
Materials that stop alpha radiation
Skin and paper.
Materials that stop beta radiation
Aluminium(relatively thick).
