Radioactivity

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Questions and Answers

What is radioactive decay?

When an unstable isotope decays into other elements and gives out radiation as they try to become more stable

What is radioactive decay affected by?

Nothing

What is ionising radiation?

Radiation that knocks electrons off atoms, creating positive ions

What are the three radioactive substances?

<p>Alpha, beta, gamma</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is alpha radiation?

<p>A helium nucleus made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative charge of alpha radiation?

<p>+2</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative mass of alpha radiation?

<p>4</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the penetration ability of alpha and what is it stopped by?

<p>Poor penetration, stopped by paper or skin</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is alpha radiation absorbed by?

<p>A few cm of air</p> Signup and view all the answers

How ionising is alpha radiation?

<p>Highly</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is beta radiation?

<p>A fast moving electron released by a nucleus</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative charge of beta radiation?

<p>-1</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative mass of beta radiation?

<p>1/2000</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the penetration ability of beta radiation and what is it stopped by?

<p>Moderate penetration, stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium</p> Signup and view all the answers

How far can beta radiation travel in air?

<p>A few metres</p> Signup and view all the answers

How ionising is beta radiation?

<p>Moderately ionising</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is gamma radiation?

<p>A very short wavelength electromagnetic wave, high energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relative mass and charge of gamma radiation?

<p>Nothing</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the penetration ability of gamma radiation and what is it stopped by?

<p>High penetration, stopped by a thick piece of lead or several metres of concrete</p> Signup and view all the answers

How far can gamma travel?

<p>Few kilometres in air</p> Signup and view all the answers

How ionising is gamma radiation?

<p>Weakly ionising</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Radioactive Decay

The process where an unstable isotope decays into other elements, emitting radiation to achieve stability.

Ionising Radiation

Radiation that removes electrons from atoms, creating positive ions.

Alpha Radiation

A helium nucleus containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

Beta Radiation

A high-speed electron emitted from the nucleus of an atom.

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Gamma Radiation

A short wavelength, high-energy electromagnetic wave.

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Alpha Penetration

A form of radiation with poor penetration, stopped by paper or skin, and absorbed by a few cm of air.

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Beta Penetration

Radiation with moderate penetration, stopped by thin aluminium, travels a few metres in air.

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Gamma Penetration

Radiation with high penetration, stopped by thick lead or concrete, travels kilometers in air.

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Alpha Ionisation

Alpha radiation causes lots of ionization.

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Beta Ionisation

Beta radiation causes a medium amount of ionization.

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Gamma Ionisation

Gamma radiation causes little ionization.

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