Radioactivity - Ionising radiation

7 important questions on Radioactivity - Ionising radiation

On what does it depend how much damage there is by ionising radiation?

  • The amount of radiation energy that is absorbed
  • The type of radiation, alpha radiation causes  causes much more damage than beta or gamma for the same amount of absorbed energy

What are radioactive substances?

Radioactive substances emit ionising radiation

What are naturally radioactive substances'?

Radioactive substances that are natural in origin
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What is the only way to observe radioactive substances?

Use instruments, because a human cannot see, hear or feel the radiation. The instrument that is always needed is a dosimeter

What is alpha decay?

In alpha decay, an alpha particle is emitted by the nucleus. Two protons and two neutrons. The mass number therefore decreases by four and the atomic number by two.

What is beta decay?

(In beta decay, a neutron in the atomic nucleus changes into a proton and an electron. The electron is then ejected from the nucleus. It is then called a beta particle.)  The mass number of the atomic nucleus does not change, because the number of nuclear particles stays the same. The atomic number increases by one, there is now one more proton.

What is gamma decay?

(Gamma decay often occurs after alpha or beta decay. There is a lot of internal movement inside the nucleus and it loses a lot of energy. It does this by emitting gamma radiation.) The mass number and the atomic number do not change.

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