Nuclear (get the grade)

• What is ionisation in the context of radiation?

  It is when an atom loses or gains an electron.
• What causes ionisation in atoms?

  Ionising radiation makes contact with an atom.
• What device can detect ionising radiation?

  A Geiger-Muller tube.
• What are the potential effects of ionising radiation on DNA?

  It can damage DNA and cause burns and cancers.
• What are the three types of radiation?

  • Alpha particles
  • Beta particles
  • Gamma waves
• What is an alpha particle composed of?

  A helium nucleus with two protons and two neutrons.
• What is the charge of an alpha particle?

  It has a charge of 2+.
• How do alpha particles compare in terms of ionising ability and speed?

  They are the most ionising and the slowest.
• What can block alpha particles?

  Just paper.
• What is a beta particle?

  A fast-moving electron.
• What is the charge and mass of a beta particle?

  Charge of 1- and mass of 0.
• How do beta particles compare in terms of ionising ability?

  They are the second most ionising.
• What are gamma waves part of?

  The Electromagnetic Spectrum.
• How fast do gamma waves travel?

  At the speed of light, $3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$.
• How do gamma waves compare in terms of ionising ability?

  They are the least ionising.
• What are the ionising and penetration potentials of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation?

  • Alpha: Least penetrative, most ionising
  • Beta: Second most penetrative, second most ionising
  • Gamma: Most penetrative, least ionising
• What happens to atomic and mass numbers when an alpha particle is emitted?

  Atomic number decreases by 2, mass number by 4.
• What occurs during beta particle emission?

  A neutron splits into a proton and an electron.
• What happens to the atomic number during beta emission?

  It increases by 1.
• What is half-life in radioactive substances?

  The time for activity to reduce by half.
• If a radioactive substance has a half-life of 3 years, when will its activity be halved?

  In 3 years.
• What are common uses of radiation?

  • Medical imaging (X-rays)
  • Radiotherapy for cancer
  • Sterilisation of surgical equipment
  • Carbon-dating in archaeology
  • Energy production
  • Smoke detectors
• What is the role of X-rays in medicine?

  For imaging and diagnosing patients.
• How is gamma radiation used in medicine?

  In radiotherapy for certain cancers.
• What is carbon-dating used for?

  Determining the ages of old carbon-based compounds.
• How does knowledge of radiation benefit archaeology?

  It allows for dating carbon-based artifacts.
• What is one use of radiation in smoke detectors?

  To detect smoke presence.
• What are the key points about ionising radiation?

  • Ionising radiation can cause ionisation.
  • It can damage DNA and cause burns.
  • A Geiger-Muller tube detects it.
• What are the key points about types of radiation?

  • Alpha: Most ionising, slowest, blocked by paper.
  • Beta: Second most ionising, fast-moving electron.
  • Gamma: Least ionising, fastest, part of electromagnetic spectrum.
• What are the key points about nuclear equations?

  • Write equations for alpha and beta emissions.
  • Know nuclide notation for radioactive particles.
• What are the key points about half-life?

  • Activity decreases over time.
  • Each substance has a specific half-life.
  • Practice solving half-life problems.
• What are the key points about radiation uses?

  • Used in medicine, energy, and archaeology.
  • Applications include X-rays, radiotherapy, and carbon-dating.