nuclear physics things

    Master this deck with 51 terms through effective study methods.

    Imported from Quizlet

    Created by @cheese

    Structure of Atom

    Pos+ charged nucleus --> Proton (+1) & Neutron (0), Neg- charged electrons in energy levels (shells), Most of atom's mass in nucleus, Atom is mostly empty space

    Formation of Ions (pos and neg)

    Pos+ ions/cations:, formed when atoms lose e-, Neg- ions/anions:, formed when gain e-

    Why ions charged

    no. protons not = to no. e-

    Alpha Part. Scattering (Observations

    Most passed straight through, Some slightly deflect, Very few bounce back

    Alpha Part. Scattering (Conclusion/Explanation)

    Mostly empty space, Nucleus is dense, Pos+ charged nucleus bc pos+ alpha particles repel

    Atom diameter

    1 x 10^-10m

    Nucleus diameter

    1 x 10^-15m, Nucleus is 100k times smaller than atom

    Relative Charge & Mass (particles, charge, mass)

    Proton, +1, 1, Neutron, 0, 1, Electron, −1, 1/1836 (very small)

    Fission

    Splitting heavy nucleus

    Fission prod

    Smaller nuclei, Neutrons, Energy, Can cause chain reaction

    Fusion

    Fusing light nuclei

    Fusion Conditions

    very high temp → happens in stars

    Fusion prod

    more energy than fission

    Mass-energy Equivalence

    Formula: E = mc^2, E = energy released, M = mass, C = speed of light (3 x 10^8 m/s), Even if small mass lost → large energy released (bc c is so large), Explains energy in:, Fusion, fission

    Alpha particles experiment notes

    Alpha particles fired at thin foil, Alpha particles detected how they scatter

    Charge & Mass

    Nuclear charge = no. of protons (Z), Nuclear mass = nucleon no. (A),

    Background radiation

    low level radiation always present, Comes from natural + artificial sources

    Natural Sources of background radiation

    ~85% of BR, Radon gas → from rocks (largest source), Rocks + buildings → radioactive materials, Food & drinks → contain small radioactive amounts, Cosmic rays → higher at altitude

    Artificial sources of background radiation

    ~15% of BR, Medical use (x-rays, cancer treatment), Nuclear industry

    Measuring Radiation

    Using geiger muller tube (GM) = counter, measures count rate (radiation detected)

    Total Radiation

    Total count rate - bg. radiation

    b.g radiation

    initial count rate/ 2^n (n = no. of half lives passed)

    Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation

    Nuclear radiation emitted from unstable nuclei, Emission is spontaneous + random in direction

    Alpha particles - Characteristics

    Helium nucleus (2 proton + 2 neutron), Charge: 2+, Large mass

    Alpha particles - Penetration

    Low, Stopped by paper, Range in air = few cm

    Alpha particles - Ionising Power

    Very high bc large mass, Strong pos+ charge, Cause many collisions w/ atoms

    Alpha particles - Deflection

    Deflected by electric + mag field, Moves toward neg- plate, Deflects only slightly bc heavy

    Beta particles - Feature

    Fast moving e-, charge : -1, Very small mass

    Beta particles - Penetration

    Moderate, Stopped by few mm of aluminium, Range in air: several metres

    Beta particles - Ionising Power

    Moderate, Smaller charge + mass than alpha

    Beta particles - Deflection

    Deflect by electric + mag fields, Moves towards pos+ plate, Deflect more than alpha (lighter)

    Gamma radiation - Feature

    EM wave, No mass, No charge

    Gamma radiation - Penetration

    Very high, Stopped by thick lead/ concrete

    Gamma radiation - Ionising Power

    Low, No charge bc weak interaction w/ atoms

    Gamma radiation - Deflection

    Not deflated by elec./mag fields

    Cloud Chamber Track

    thick, Straight

    Cloud chamber track

    Thin, Curved, Twisted

    Cloud Chamber Track

    No direct track, Prod e- that leave tracks

    Random + spontaneous

    Atoms become diff. Element, Cause by:, Too many neutrons, Nucleus too heavy

    Alpha Decay

    Emits helium nucleus (2p + 2n), Nucleon no. -4, Proton no. -2, Makes nucleus more stable

    Beta decay

    e- emitted, Proton stays in nucleus → nucleon no. unchanged

    Gamma Emission

    Releases energy only, No change in:, Proton no., Nucleon no., Happens after alpha/beta decay

    Nuclear Stability depends on?

    Stable nuclei depend on Z (proton) + N (neutron) ratio,

    Light nuclei stability

    N = Z

    Heavy nuclei

    N > Z

    what do unstable nuclei do to become more stable

    decay

    Uses of Radiation

    Smoke alarms → alpha (bc short range + safe), Food irradiation + Sterilisation → gamma (kills bacteria), Cancer treatment → beta

    Dangers of radiation

    Damage cells → cell death, Cause mutations → Leads to cancers, Alpha → dangerous if inside body, Beta & Gamma → dangerous externally

    Safety Precautions

    Reduce time of exposure, Increase distance, Use shielding:, Paper → alpha, Aluminium → beta, lead/concrete → gamma, Use tongs, Store in lead containers, Use lead/concrete shielding, Monitor exposure → film badges

    Radioactive decay

    emission of alpha/beta/gamma radiation from an unstable nucleus

    Half-life definition & formula

    time for half the nucleus to decay, Count Rate = Initial count rate/2^n, n = no. half life