atomic structure & radiation

    Cards (12)

    • radioactivity is a random process, if you increase or decrease the temperature you still cant predict it, it isnt possible to tell when a nucleus will decay
    • what is alpha radiation
      contains 2 protons & 2 neutrons
      positive 2 charge
      mass of 4
      helium nuclei
    • what is beta radiation
      high energy electron
      negative fharge
      no mass/ very small
    • what is gamma radiation
      electromagnetic wave
      charge of 0
      mass of 0
    • what are the properties of alpha radiation

      least penetrating
      most ionising
      travel 5cm in air before colliding with air particles & stopping
      stopped by skin & paper
    • what are the properties of beta radiation
      goes 15 cm in air before stopping
      stopped by thin aluminium
    • what are the properties of gamma radiation
      most penetrating
      least ionising
      stopped by lead or thick concrete
    • what is nuclear fission
      nucleus splits into 2 smaller fragments, nuclei & energy is released
    • what happens in nuclear fission
      uranium nucleus absorbs neutron
      nuclei splits into 2 smaller nucleus (daughter nuclei) & 2/3 neutrons & gamma radiation
      energy is released all fission products have kinetic energy
      neutrons can be absorbed by other nuclei and start a chain reaction
    • uranium is used as fuel to heat water, making steam
      steam turns turbine and generates electricity
    • what is nuclear fusion
      joining of 2 light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus
      some mass can be converted into energy which is released as radiation
      can only happen in stars
    • what ate the uses for alpha beta and gamma radiation
      alpha - smoke alarm
      beta - thickness of paper
      gamma - detect & treat cancer