P4 - Atomic Structure

P4 - Atomic Structure

1. structure of the atom

   • Nucleus
     • proton
       • mass 1
       • charge 1+
     • neutrons
       • mass 1
       • charge 0
     • electron
       • charge -1

2. radiation

   • alpha
     • mass 4
     • charge 2+
     • Alpha is most ionisation and is least range in the air and penetration
   • beta
     • mass 1/1832
     • charge 1-
     • beta is middle for penetration, range in the air and ionisation
   • gamma
     • mass high energy
     • charge 0
     • Gamma is most penetrating, range and ionisation
   • radioactive decay
     • is described as random and spontaneous
   • radiation comes from the nucleus of the atom

3. isotope

   • atom with different numbers of neutrons but the same number of protons

4. background radiation

5. tracer

6. half life

   • The time it takes for the half the substance to decay

7. fission and fusion

   • fission
     • Fission occurs when a neutron slams into a larger atom, forcing it to split into two smaller atoms
   • fusion
     • Fusion occurs when 2 small atoms join up into 1 large atom