Radioactivity

    Cards (98)

    • What is meant by radioactive decay?
      It is the process of unstable nuclei giving out radiation.
    • How many types of nuclear radiation are there?
      Four types
    • What are isotopes?
      Atoms of the same element with different neutrons.
    • Which isotope of carbon is radioactive?
      Carbon-14
    • What happens to an unstable nucleus during radioactive decay?
      It gives out radiation to become stable.
    • What is the nature of the radioactive decay process?
      It is a completely random process.
    • How is activity measured in radioactive sources?
      In Becquerels (Bq)
    • What does one Becquerel (Bq) equal?
      One decay per second
    • What is the count rate in radioactivity?
      Number of decays recorded each second.
    • How does count rate differ from activity?
      Count rate includes background radiation.
    • What is the first type of radiation emitted by unstable nuclei?
      Alpha particles
    • What do alpha particles consist of?
      Two protons and two neutrons.
    • What is an alpha particle equivalent to?
      The nucleus of a helium atom.
    • What is the second type of radiation called?
      Beta particles
    • What is a beta particle?
      An electron ejected from the nucleus.
    • How is a beta particle formed?
      When a neutron changes into a proton and electron.
    • What is the third type of radiation?
      Gamma rays
    • What are gamma rays?
      A type of electromagnetic radiation.
    • What is the fourth type of radiation sometimes emitted?
      Neutrons
    • What are the four types of nuclear radiation?
      • Alpha particles
      • Beta particles
      • Gamma rays
      • Neutrons
    • What is the process of radioactive decay?
      • Unstable nucleus emits radiation
      • Nucleus becomes stable
      • Process is random and unpredictable
    • What are the three types of radiation discussed?
      Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
    • What does it mean for an isotope to be radioactive?
      Its nuclei decay and release radiation
    • Why can we not predict when radioactive decay will happen?
      It is a random process
    • How far can alpha particles travel in air?
      About 5 centimeters
    • How far can beta particles travel in air?
      About 15 centimeters
    • How far can gamma radiation travel in air?
      Several meters
    • What is the penetrating power of alpha particles?
      Stopped by a single sheet of paper
    • What is required to stop beta particles?
      A few millimeters of aluminum
    • What material can stop gamma radiation?
      Several centimeters of lead
    • What does ionizing power refer to?
      Ability to cause atoms to lose electrons
    • How strongly ionizing are alpha particles?
      Very strongly ionizing
    • How strongly ionizing are beta particles?
      Quite strongly ionizing
    • How strongly ionizing is gamma radiation?
      Weakly ionizing
    • What are the key properties of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation?
      • Range in air:
      • Alpha: ~5 cm
      • Beta: ~15 cm
      • Gamma: Several meters
      • Penetrating power:
      • Alpha: Stopped by paper
      • Beta: Stopped by aluminum
      • Gamma: Stopped by lead
      • Ionizing power:
      • Alpha: Very strong
      • Beta: Quite strong
      • Gamma: Weak
    • Where can students find more questions on radiation properties?
      In the vision workbook
    • What should you be able to do by the end of the video?
      Write nuclear equations for alpha and beta decay
    • What does a nuclear equation show?
      What is produced when a radioactive nucleus decays
    • What is an alpha particle composed of?
      Two protons and two neutrons
    • What symbol is used to represent an alpha particle?
      The symbol for helium
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