Physics Key terms

Question 1

Radioactive Decay

Answer 1

The nucleus of the isotope will emit Radiation so they can become more stable

Question 2

Ionisation

Answer 2

where radiation “knocks off” electrons from an atom. (This can lead to cancer in cells)

Question 3

Exponential Decay

Answer 3

The change gets smaller as the number gets lower

Question 4

Half-life

Answer 4

The time taken for the activity of a radioactive source to halve. (Longer half-life, less likely to Decay) It takes the same time to halve each time

Question 5

Contamination

Answer 5

An object or body contains a small amount of a radioactive isotope. If something is exposed to ionising radiation, it does not become radioactive

Question 6

Irradiation

Answer 6

An object or a body is exposed to nuclear radiation