Radioactive decay (AQA GCSE Physics): Flashcards

Unstable nuclei giving out radiation to become more stable

Random - can't predict when a single nucleus will decay

How many unstable nuclei break down each second

Becquerels (Bq)

1 nucleus decaying per second

Directly proportional

Gets weaker over time

Unstable nuclei decay into stable ones, fewer left to decay

Goes down by 4

Goes down by 2

No change - stays the same

Goes up by 1

No change to mass or charge

Alpha ($\alpha$), beta ($\beta$), and gamma ($\gamma$) rays

Number of radiation particles detected in a time period