Isotopes
What are isotopes?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.
What is the half-life of a radioisotope?
The half-life of a radioisotope is the time it takes for half the nuclei to decay.
How do scientists determine the age of fossils and bones?
By measuring the amount of carbon-14 in them.
What is a volcano?
A place where extremely hot magma from inside the Earth erupts at the surface.
Do isotopes have the same atomic number?
Yes, isotopes have the same atomic number.
An isotope with a half-life of 3 years starts with 80molecules. How many molecules are left after 9 years?
10 molecules
What happens at a divergent boundary?
Two tectonic plates move away from each other.
What causes earthquakes at convergent plate boundaries?
Frictional forces build up as a dense oceanic plate subducts beneath a buoyant continental plate.
What is alpha decay?
During alpha decay, a nucleus ejects an alpha particle, which is a cluster of two protons and two neutrons.
What is carbon-14 used for?
Carbon-14 is used to date objects based on the principle of half-life and decay.
What landforms are created at transform plate boundaries?
Earthquakes.
What is the depth of focus of an earthquake?
The depth at which the earthquake occurs.
What are gamma rays?
Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic wave emitted during radioactive decay.
How can the half-life of an isotope be determined?
The half-life of an isotope can be determined from a graph by finding the time it takes to reach half of the original amount.
What landforms are created at oceanic-continental convergent boundaries?
Mountains and volcanoes.
What determines the strength of shaking from an earthquake?
The distance from the earthquake's source.
What is beta decay?
Beta decay is when a neutron is converted into a proton, increasing the atomic number by one.
How does the amount of carbon-14 change over time?
The amount of carbon-14 decreases over time, with half the amount remaining after approximately 5,730 years.
What landforms are created at oceanic-oceanic convergent boundaries?
Island volcanoes and earthquakes.
Where are 75% of Earth's volcanoes located?
Along the Ring of Fire.