Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Radioactive Decay

Unstable nucleus becomes stable by shedding energy and mass in a process called radioactive decay

Alpha Particle

2 Protons and 2 neutron emitted from nucleus

Beta

The neutron decays in proton that’s kept and the electron is emitted

Gamma ray

excited nucleus sheds excess energy by emitting gamma ray

Isotopes

Every element has a unique amount of fixed protons but they vary in neutrons those versions are isotopes

Radiation In Electric Field

motion of radiation in an electric field is affected by their mass and charge

Beta in Electric Field

moves against the field because its negative and is strong deflection because small mass.

Alpha in Electric field

has weak deflection because it has large mass and moves with field because it’s pstive

Gamma rays in electric field

Unaffected because it’s uncharged

Right Hand slap rule

Thumb pointing up is positive and fingers are magnetic field

Ionization

The addition or removal of electrons from an atom

Half - Life

time taken for half a sample of unstable nuclei to decay

When Does Half - Life happen

Because radioactive decay is random so the prediction of half life is statistical not exact

Nuclear Fission

Involves splitting of a nucleus into a smaller nuclei

A parent nuclei makes what during fission

Daughter Nucleis

Chain Reaction

Occurs when particles are released in one reaction and are able to produce subsequent reactions