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what is an isotope
atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons
what to unstable isotopes tend to do
decay into other elements and give out radiation as they try to become more stable
radioactive decay
what is ionising radiation
a radiation thag knocks electrons off atoms creating positive ions
what is an alpha particle, what is it stopped by, how ionising is it and what are some uses
an alpha particle is two neutrons and two protons (like a helium nucleus)
don’t penetrate far and is absorbed by a thin sheet of paper
strongly ionising
used in smoke detectors - ionises air particles causing a current to flow. smoke binds to ions causing current to stop and alarm to sound
what is a beta particle, what is it stopped by, how ionising is it and what are some uses
a fast moving electron released by the nucleus, no mass and charge of -1
absorbed by sheet of aluminium
moderately ionising, penetrate moderately far into materials
used to test thickness of sheets of metal as particles are not immediately absorbed and don’t penetrate as far
what is a gamma ray , what is it stopped by, how ionising is it and what are some uses
waves of electromagnetic radiation released by the nucleus
absorbed by thick sheet of lead
penetrate far into materials without being stopped and travel a long distance through air - weakly ionising (dont collide with atoms)
medicine (radiotherapy), industry (sterilisation and disinfection)
