Row 1
What is used as fuel in nuclear fission?
uranium 235 (U-235)
What type of radiation does nuclear fission produce?
Gamma radiation
What are isotopes?
A form of element that has the same atomic number but different mass number.
What is the charge of an atom?
no overall charge (electrically neutral)
Name one source of background radiation
radon gas, ground and buildings, medical, nuclear power, cosmic rays, food and drinks.
Define fusion
This is when lighter atoms join to make a heavier atom
Define Fission
This is when heavier atoms split into lighter atoms
What will an unstable nuclei give out once it decays?
ionizing radiation
What is the structure of an alpha nuclei like?
Same as a helium nuclei / 2 protons 2 neutrons.
Define half-life
the time taken for half of a radioactive sample to decay.
What is the use of concrete in a nuclear reactor?
Prevents radiation from escaping.
What material is used for the control rods of a nuclear reactor?
Cadmium or boron.
List the types of radiation based off of their range in air, starting with the one with the shortest range
alpha > beta > gamma
What can gamma radiation not penetrate through / stopped by?
thick lead sheet.
What is the unit of radioactivity?
Becquerel (Bq)
What should the environment needed for nuclear fusion be like?
Very high temperature and pressure.
What will happen to the mass number of a nucleus once it emits an alpha particle?
It decreases by 4
What is the function of a GM tube?
Detect radioactivity
How should radioactive material be stored?
In lead-lined boxes, kept in metal cupboards and labeled as radiation hazards.
What is radioactive dating?
Measuring the age of organic matter by measuring the amount of Carbon-14 (C-14) that is present in the matter.
Complete the equation of nuclear fission
⁰₁n + ²³⁵₉₂U → ¹⁴¹₅₆Ba + ⁹²₃₆Kr + ⁰₁n
⁰₁n + ²³⁵₉₂U → ¹⁴¹₅₆Ba + ⁹²₃₆Kr + 3⁰₁n + E
Explain the role of a moderator in a nuclear reactor
Slows down the fast-moving neurons that are produced during the fission reactions so they can be absorbed for a chain reaction by another uranium nucleus - increasing the chances of another fission reaction.
How can background radiation be removed from radiation measurements?
Before starting the experiment, connect the GM tube to a counter and write down the number of counts after 5 minutes.
Which one is the formula for beta plus decay?
ᴬZ X → ᴬ(Z−1)Y + ⁰₋₁β + ⁰₀νₑ
or
ᴬZ X → ᴬ(Z−1)Y + ⁰₊₁β + ⁰₀νₑ
ᴬZ X → ᴬ(Z−1)Y + ⁰₊₁β + ⁰₀νₑ
( number 2 )
What is the function of a tracer and how is it used?
A chemical compound that emits gamma radiation that helps identify diseased organs. They can be taken orally or injected, they are able to be traced with a gamma ray camera.