Atomic and Nuclear

Created by

emma faloon

Cards (15)

protons are always equal to the number of electrons
Particle Location Charge Mass of particle
Proton In nucleus +1 1
Neutron In nucleus 0 1
Electron Orbiting nucleus -1 1/1840
number of protons + neutrons = mass number
Isotopes= same number of protons different number of neutrons
Radioactive nuclei emit/release radiation in form of alpha, beta or gamma radiation.
Radioactive nuclei are unstable so they will disintegrate or decay.
Alpha radiation is made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
Beta radiation is a fast moving electron is released from the nucleus when a neutron in the nucleus changes into a proton
The relative mass of a B particle is 0 and its is -1
Gamma radiation is not a particle but an electromagnetic wave of high energy
PENETRATING POWER
Alpha radiation travels through a few centimeter of air. Stopped by a few centimeters of air or a few sheets of paper
Beta radiation travels through several meters of air. Stopped by several meters of air or a thin sheet of aluminum
Gamma radiation travels through several meters of air. Vey penetrating and can only be blocked by lead
Background radiation is the radiation detected when there are no radioactive sources present
When measuring the activity from a radioactive source, the measurements has to be corrected by the background radioactivity from it
BACKGROUND RADIATION
Natural sources
rocks and soil
Cosmic rays from space
Radioactive elements like radon
BACKGROUND RADIATION
Man made sources
medical x-rays
fallout of nuclear weapons
radioactive waste
HALF LIFE
Half life of a radioactive isotope us the amount of time it takes for the number of radioactive isotopes to half
NUCLEAR FISSION
Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus
The nucleus undergoing fission splits into 2 smaller nuclei and 2 or 3 neutrons
CHAIN REACTION
The nucleus that are released then go on to collide with more fissionable nuclei this can start a chain reaction