Flashcards: Fundamentals of Radioactive Nuclei — 24 cards

Radioactive nucleus — definition?

Unstable nucleus that spontaneously decays.

Atomic nucleus notation — format?

A/Z/X, with A superscript, Z subscript.

Protons — role?

Determine element and nuclear charge.

Mass number A — meaning?

Total nucleons (protons + neutrons).

Isotope — same?

Same Z, different A, different neutrons.

Isotope examples — oxygen?

O-16, O-17, O-18.

Beta plus particles — emitted?

Positron (positon) and neutrino.

Beta minus particles — emitted?

Electron (beta particle).

Alpha particles — composition?

Helium nucleus (2 protons, 2 neutrons).

Gamma radiation — type?

High-energy electromagnetic radiation.

Gamma rays — properties?

Penetrate matter, ionize atoms, high energy.

Radioactive activity — definition?

Disintegrations per second in a sample.

Z — represents?

Number of protons, element's charge.

A — represents?

Total number of nucleons in nucleus.

Isotopes — same?

Same Z, different A, same element.

Alpha decay — particles?

Helium nucleus (alpha particle).

Beta plus decay — particles?

Positron (positon).

Beta minus decay — particles?

Electron (beta particle).

Gamma radiation — emission?

Electromagnetic energy during decay.

Gamma ray properties?

Ionizing, penetrative, high energy electromagnetic waves.

Activity units?

Becquerel (Bq), disintegrations per second.

A nucleus — unstable?

Yes, it decays spontaneously.

Z — defines?

Element identity and charge.

A — indicates?

Mass number, total nucleons.