physics revision - term 2 - science

theory need to know for test

recall the definition of activity

the number of radioactive decays per second

recall the definition of the electromagnetic spectrum

the entire range of electromagnetic waves of various wavelengths

recall the definition of electromagnetic waves

waves that travel via light and do not require a medium to propagate

recall the definition of energy

the ability to do work

recall the first definition of half-life

the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay

recall the second definition of half-life

the time taken for the activity of a sample to decrease by half

recall the definition of an ion

a particle with an unequal number of protons and electrons

recall the definition of ionising radiation

radiation with high enough energy to remove an electron from its atom

recall the definition of isotopes

atoms with the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons

recall the Law of Conservation of Energy

energy can only be transformed or transferred, but not created or destroyed (except in a nuclear reaction)

recall the definition of mechanical waves

waves that travel via particle oscillation and require a medium to propagate

recall the definition of nuclear radiation

radiation that is emitted from the nucleus of an atom

recall the definition of radiation

the transfer of energy via particles or waves

recall the definition of radioactive decay

the process by which an unstable parent nucleus transmutes into a daughter nucleus by emitting nuclear radiation

what are the five types of potential (stored) energies?

gravitational potential energy, chemical potential energy, nuclear energy, elastic potential energy, electrical potential energy

what are the four types of moving energies?

kinetic energy, sound energy, light energy, heat/thermal energy

if a toaster is plugged in and heats up a slice of bread, what energy transformation is taking place?

electrical energy to thermal energy

if a stretched rubber band is released, what energy transformation is taking place?

elastic potential energy to kinetic energy

if a light bulb is switched on and emits light, what energy transformation is taking place?

electrical energy to light energy

what are some examples of mechanical waves?

sound waves, earthquake waves, water waves

what are some examples of electromagnetic waves?

visible light, microwaves, radio waves

what are some important features of a transverse wave?

peaks, troughs, wavelength

what is a transverse wave?

the particles of the medium oscillate in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction the wave is travelling

what is a longitudinal wave?

the particles of the the medium oscillate in a direction parallel to the direction the wave is travelling.

sequence the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing energy/decreasing wavelength

radio waves, microwaves, infared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays

Which of the following pairs are isotopes?

A. Carbon-12 and Nitrogen-12
B. Carbon-12 and Carbon-14
C. Oxygen-16 and Sulfur-16
D. Sodium-23 and Magnesium-23

B

An atom has 20 protons and 22 neutrons.

Which atom is an isotope of it?

A. 20 protons, 24 neutrons
B. 22 protons, 20 neutrons
C. 19 protons, 23 neutrons
D. 24 protons, 20 neutrons

A

Which statement is correct?

A. Isotopes have the same mass number but different atomic numbers.
B. Isotopes have the same atomic number but different mass numbers.
C. Isotopes have different atomic numbers and different mass numbers.
D. Isotopes always have the same number of neutrons.

B

Atoms P, Q, and R have the following notation:

• P = ³⁹₁₉K

• Q = ⁴⁰₂₀Ca

• R = ⁴¹₁₉K

Which statement is true?

A. P and Q are isotopes.
B. Q and R are isotopes.
C. P and R are isotopes.
D. None are isotopes.

C

what are some examples of ionising radiation?

gamma rays, X-rays, high-energy ultraviolet (UV-C), all types of nuclear radiation

what are some examples of non-ionising radiation?

radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light

what are the possible outcomes of exposing a living cell to ionising radiation?

the cell could die, the cell could become permanently modified, the cell could die

what is the relative mass of an alpha particle?

4

what is the relative mass of a beta particle?

1/2000

what is the relative mass of a gamma wave?

0

what is the relative charge of an alpha particle?

+2

what is the relative charge of a beta particle?

-1

what is the relative charge of a gamma wave?

0

what is the penetration ability of an alpha particle?

low

what is the penetration ability of a beta particle?

medium

what is the penetration ability of a gamma wave?

high

what is the ionisation ability of an alpha particle?

high

what is the ionisation ability of a beta particle?

medium

what is the ionisation ability of a gamma wave?

low

In the nuclear decay equation:

Radium-226 → Radon-222 + Helium-4

Which statement is correct?

A. Parent nucleus = Radon-222, Daughter nucleus = Radium-226
B. Parent nucleus = Helium-4, Daughter nucleus = Radon-222
C. Parent nucleus = Radium-226, Daughter nucleus = Radon-222
D. Parent nucleus = Radium-226, Daughter nucleus = Helium-4

C

In the nuclear decay equation:

Carbon-14 → Nitrogen-14 + Beta particle

What are the parent and daughter nuclei?

A. Parent = Carbon-14, Daughter = Nitrogen-14
B. Parent = Nitrogen-14, Daughter = Carbon-14
C. Parent = Beta particle, Daughter = Carbon-14
D. Parent = Carbon-14, Daughter = Beta particle

A

Which of the following best describes the parent nucleus in a nuclear decay equation?

A. The emitted radiation
B. The nucleus formed after decay
C. The nucleus present before decay occurs
D. The nucleus with the lowest atomic number

C