Radiation P2

Alpha
1. 2 neutrons + 2 protons
  1. Charge = +2
2. Highly ionising
3. Weak penetration power
4. Smoke alarms
  1. Ionise air in chamber
    1. Small electrical current flows between 2 electrodes in chamber
      1. Smoke enters chamber + absorbs alpha particles
Beta
1. High energy electron
  1. Charge = -1
2. Mildly ionising
3. Mild penetration power
4. Paper manufacturing
  1. Paper passes between beta source and detector
    1. Thickness affects absorption of beta
      1. Particle count determines any changes
Gamma
1. Burst of electromagnetic radiation
  1. No charge
2. Weakly ionising
3. High penetration power
4. Medical uses
  1. Gamma knife
    1. Accurately target specific spot for full dose
  2. Sterilises equipment
  3. Tracers
    1. Weak gamma with short half life drunk
      1. Special camera films movement of fluid
        Finds leaks in heart valves/blockages in organs
Half Life
1. Nuclei decay
  1. Number per second is ACTIVITY
2. Time it takes number of radioactive nuclei in sample to half
3. Time it takes for count rate from radioisotope to decrease 50%
Radioactive decay series
1. Alpha particle given off
  1. Atomic number goes down by 2
  2. Mass number goes down by 4
2. Beta particle given off
  1. Atomic number goes up 1
  2. Mass number doesn't change
Nuclear fission
1. Nucleus of uranium atom
  1. Bombarded with a neutron and releases:
    1. 2 neutrons
    2. Energy in the form of radiation + kinetic
      1. Radiation = controversial
2. Releases heat energy
  1. Used to boil water
    1. Drives turbines
3. Control rods
  1. Absorb surplus neutrons
    1. Control chain reaction
Nuclear Fusion
1. 2 nuclei fused together
  1. Create heavier nucleus
  2. Generates heat energy
  3. No radioactive products
2. How energy is released in stars

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Radiation P2

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	Created by Katie Taylor1999 over 9 years ago