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6 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the atomic number? |
The number of protons in the nucleus |
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What is the mass number? |
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. |
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What is an isotope? |
The isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, |
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What are the dangers of ionising radiation? |
Radiation ionises molecules inside cells. At high doses, cell death may occur but at lower doses there may be mutations in DNA and formation of cancerous cells. |
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What is the most dangerous form of radiation? |
Gamma is so penetrating that in small doses most of it passes through the body causing no harm. Beta is less penetrating so more is absorbed by cells, makingmaking it more dangerous. Alpha are the least penetrating and from outside cannot penetrate the skin, but emitters such as radar gas or plutonium particles are very dangerous because they are inhaled into the body. |
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What is the half life of an element? |
The time taken for the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay by half. |
