Radioactivity (Leaving Cert Physics): Flashcards
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Discoverer of radioactivity & year
Discoverer of radioactivity & year
Henri Becquerel, 1896
Definition of radioactivity
Definition of radioactivity
Unstable nuclei spontaneously break down, releasing energy
Nature of alpha particles
Nature of alpha particles
Helium nuclei (2 protons, 2 neutrons)
Charge of alpha particles
Charge of alpha particles
Nature of beta particles
Nature of beta particles
High-speed electrons from nucleus
Charge of beta particles
Charge of beta particles
Nature of gamma radiation
Nature of gamma radiation
High-frequency electromagnetic radiation
Charge of gamma radiation
Charge of gamma radiation
(no charge)
Material that stops alpha radiation
Material that stops alpha radiation
Paper or few cm of air
Material that stops beta radiation
Material that stops beta radiation
Few mm of aluminium
Material that stops gamma radiation
Material that stops gamma radiation
Thick concrete (1 m) or lead
Ionising ability order (greatest to least)
Ionising ability order (greatest to least)
Alpha > Beta > Gamma
Alpha decay: change in mass number
Alpha decay: change in mass number
Decreases by 4
Alpha decay: change in atomic number
Alpha decay: change in atomic number
Decreases by 2
Beta decay: change in atomic number
Beta decay: change in atomic number
Increases by 1