What is an alpha particle and how does it affect the mass number and atomic number of the atom?
an alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons i.e. a helium nucleus. the mass number goes down by four and the atomic number goes down by two
2 of 9
What is a beta particle and how does it affect the mass number and atomic number of the atom?
a neutron changes into a proton plus and electron, the proton stays in the nucleus and the electron is emitted at a high speed, this is the beta particle. the mass number stays the same and the atomic number goes up by one.
3 of 9
What stops alpha radiation?
paper
4 of 9
What stops beta radiation?
a sheet of aluminium
5 of 9
What stops gamma radiation?
a thick sheet of lead
6 of 9
What is background radiation and give three sources of it.
background radiation is radiation emitted naturally in different forms. examples include: cosmic rays, x-ray tubes, air (radon gas), rocks, food and water.
7 of 9
When does a nucleus decay?
once a nucleus is unstable, it is a random event for it to decay
8 of 9
When does gamma emission occur?
for some nuclei, it occurs after an alpha and beta particle has been emitted.
9 of 9
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
an alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons i.e. a helium nucleus. the mass number goes down by four and the atomic number goes down by two
Back
What is an alpha particle and how does it affect the mass number and atomic number of the atom?
Card 3
Front
a neutron changes into a proton plus and electron, the proton stays in the nucleus and the electron is emitted at a high speed, this is the beta particle. the mass number stays the same and the atomic number goes up by one.
Comments
No comments have yet been made