Term
| What is nuclear radiation (as opposed to other types like electromagnetic)? |
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Definition
| Radiation that emanates from the nucleus of an atom. |
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Term
| Name the three types of nuclear radiation (not positron emission - that is studied at A level). |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the composition of an alpha particle? |
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Definition
| It is a helium nucleus - two protons and two neutrons held together by the strong nuclear force.
[image]
[image]
[image] |
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Term
| What is the composition of a beta particle? |
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Definition
| It is a very fast moving electron - an electron with high kinetic energy.
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[image] |
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Term
| What is the composition of a gamma ray? |
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Definition
| It is made up of high energy photons of electromagnetic energy.... pure energy - no matter.
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[image] |
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Term
| What is the charge of a beta particle? |
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Definition
| It has a negative charge - a charge of -1 (At A level you learn to put that into coulombs... -1.6 X 10-19C - at GCSE you just call it -1) |
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Term
| What is the charge of an alpha particle? |
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Definition
| It has a positive charge - a charge of +2... as it has two protons in it (At A level you learn to put that into coulombs.... +3.2 X 10-19C - at GCSE you just call it +2) |
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Term
| What is the charge of a gamma ray? |
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Definition
| Zero - electromagnetic radiation has no charge. |
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Term
| Which is the most penetrating form of nuclear radiation? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which is the least penetrating form of nuclear radiation? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which is the most densely ionizing form of nuclear radiation? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which is the least densely ionizing form of nuclear radiation? |
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Definition
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Term
| What happens inside the nucleus when alpha emission occurs? |
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Definition
| A bound packet of nucleons (2 protons and 2 neutrons) is ejected from the nucleus of the parent atom leaving a daughter nucleus behind with 2 less protons and 4 less nucleons.
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Term
| What happens inside the nucleus when beta emission occurs? |
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Definition
| A neutron within the nucleus of the parent atom splits to give an electron (which leaves the nucleus as the beta particle) and a proton which stays behind in the nucleus and replaces the neutron. The daughter nucleus therefore has one more proton than the parent but the same number of nucleons.
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Term
| What happens inside the nucleus when gamma emission occurs? |
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Definition
| The nucleons rearrange themselves into a more stable arrangement - the excess energy is given out in the form of electromagnetic energy - the gamma ray.
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