7 Nuclear Decay
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What is nuclear decay?
When an unstable nucleus emits a particle or wave to become more stable.
What is radioactivity?
When an unstable nucleus emits a particle or wave to become more stable.
What is backround radiation?
The radiation that is always present in the world
What causes there to be radiation in the world? (source of the backround radiation)
naturally occuring radioactive elements in the earth’s crust, humans setting off nuclear bombs, nuclear power stations melting down, nuclear waste, radiation from space.
What is the activity of a radioactive source?
The number of particles emitted per second
What is the S.I. unit for activity?
becquerel, Bq
What two ways can radiation be detected?
• A Geiger-Muller tube (GM tube) • a Photographic film
How can a GM tube be used to identify the type of radiation?
Place different materials inbetween the radioactive source and the detector and see if it block it. - paper, a few cms of auminium
How can photographic film be used to identify the type of radiation?
Have one section of the film with nothing covering to measure all radiation, one with a paper covering to measure beta and gamma and one with an aluminium covering to measure gamma
Give 2 ways ionising radiation can be dangerous to living things
• It can cause mutations in the DNA • It can damage cells and tissues
What does it mean if something is irradiated by a radioactive source?
alpha, beta or gamma has been fired at it. Now it is completely safe and not radioactive.
What does it mean if something is contaminated by a radioactive source?
The radioactive material has got into the body or into the food. It will carry on giving out radiation.
What is the difference between contamination and irradiation?
In contamination a source of radiation has been eaten or touched which will continue to emit radiation and cause more damage. In irradiation radiation has hit and been absorbed causing damage but no further damage will be caused.
What problems arise when trying to dispose of nuclear waste?
It will be radioactive for a very long time so the storage needs to be safe for that long - even from earth quakes etc. It is very penetrating so needs to be kept far away from people or habitats