Topic 4-Isotopes and Nuclear Radiation

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  • Created by: claire
  • Created on: 08-06-17 18:06
What is the BASIC definition of an isotope?
Different forms of the same element.
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What is an isotope?
Isotopes of an element are atoms with the same number of protons (the same atomic number and so the same charge on the nucleus) but a different number of neutrons (a different mass number).
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What is a stable isotope?
It is an isotope that will not decay into other elements.
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What is an unstable isotope?
It is an isotope that will decay into another element as it tries to become more stable. This is called radioactive decay.
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What is ionising radiation?
It is radiation that knocks electrons off atoms, creating positive ions. The ionising power of a radiation source is how easily it can do this.
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What do radioactive substances "spit out"?
They "spit out" one or more types of ionising radiation (alpha, beta and gamma are the three main examples). They can also release neutrons when they decay, as they rebalance their atomic and mass numbers.
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What else are alpha particles?
Helium nuclei. 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
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What is alpha radiation?
It is when an alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus.
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How ionising are alpha particles?
Strongly-they don't penetrate very far into materials and are stopped quickly-they can only travel a few centimeters in air and can be absorbed by a sheet of paper.
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What else are beta particles?
A fast moving electron with hardly any mass and a charge of -1 released by the nucleus.
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What happens when the beta particle is emitted?
A neutron in the nucleus has turned into a proton. Radiation occurs when it is being released.
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How ionising are beta particles?
Moderately ionising-they penetrate moderately far into materials before colliding and have a range of a few meters in air. They can be absorbed by a sheet of aluminium.
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What else are gamma rays?
Electromagnetic Waves with a short wavelength released by the nucleus.
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How ionising are gamma rays?
Weakly ionising-they penetrate far into materials without being stopped and will travel a long distance through air. They tend to pass through rather than collide with atoms but eventually they hit something and cause damage.
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What can gamma rays be absorbed by?
They can be absorbed by thick sheets of lead or meters of concrete.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

Isotopes of an element are atoms with the same number of protons (the same atomic number and so the same charge on the nucleus) but a different number of neutrons (a different mass number).

Card 3

Front

What is a stable isotope?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is an unstable isotope?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is ionising radiation?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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