what is an isotope?
an atom of an element with the same number of protons, but different number of neutrons
what makes a nuclei to become unstable?
when isotopes of elements are formed that contain too many neutrons, it makes the nucleus ‘heavy’ and unstable
what happens when a nuclei becomes unstable?
radiation is emitted from the nucleus of that atom which results in the formation of a new atom
the heavier the atom, the ____ likely it is to degrade/emit radiation?
more
what are the 5 radiation types and decay?
what are the properties of alpha? and why?
what is the structure of alpha?
4 He
2
why does alpha have a positive charge of 2+?
because it doesn’t have any electrons
does alpha have a strong or weak penetrating power?
weak - it is easily stopped by a thin sheet of paper so pose no threat to humans when outside the body
does alpha have a high or low ionising ability?
high - they are highly ionising
their relatively large size makes it easy for them to knock electrons off atoms to form negatively charged ions
in an electric field, what plate is alpha attracted to?
towards the negatively charged plate but deflection is small due to large mads
write an equation to represent the emission of an alpha particle from a carbon - 12 nuclei
12 C —> 4He + 8 Be
6 2 4
what are the properties of beta?
what is the structure of a beta particle?
0 e -
-1
how is a beta particle formed?
when a nucleus of an unstable element decays to form a proton and an electron. the electron is propelled away at high speed from the nucleus and becomes known as a beta particle
what is the mass and charge of a beta particle?
mass 0
charge -1
what is the penetrating power of a beta particle?
they are stopped by thin sheets of aluminium so are much more dangerous to humans when outside the body
(stronger than alpha, weaker than gamma)
what is the ionising ability of a beta particle?
it ionises much less intensely than an alpha particle due to its size
in an electric field, what plate is a beta particle attracted to?
towards the positively charged plate but deflection is large due to their small mass
what are the properties of gamma?
what is the structure of gamma? (charge, mass)
0 Y
0
how is gamma radiation emitted?
by unstable elements in order to release energy
why doesn’t gamma have a mass?
bc it is an electromagnetic wave with a very small wavelength and a high frequency and energy
what is the penetrating power of gamma?
it can travel great distances and has a high penetrating power. it will pass directly through the human body. it can be stopped by very thick lead