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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is nuclear radiation (as opposed to other types like electromagnetic)?
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Radiation that emanates from the nucleus of an atom.
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Name the three types of nuclear radiation (not positron emission - that is studied at A level).
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Alpha, beta and gamma.
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What is the composition of an alpha particle?
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It is a helium nucleus - two protons and two neutrons held together by the strong nuclear force.
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What is the composition of a beta particle?
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It is a very fast moving electron - an electron with high kinetic energy.
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What is the composition of a gamma ray?
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It is made up of high energy photons of electromagnetic energy.... pure energy - no matter.
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What is the charge of a beta particle?
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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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What is the charge of an alpha particle?
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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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What is the charge of a gamma ray?
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Zero - electromagnetic radiation has no charge.
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Which is the most penetrating form of nuclear radiation?
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Gamma
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Which is the least penetrating form of nuclear radiation?
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Alpha
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Which is the most densely ionizing form of nuclear radiation?
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Alpha
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Which is the least densely ionizing form of nuclear radiation?
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Gamma
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What happens inside the nucleus when alpha emission occurs?
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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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What happens inside the nucleus when beta emission occurs?
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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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What happens inside the nucleus when gamma emission occurs?
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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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