AQA · Physics · 8463
GCSE Physics: Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation
Atomic structure · AQA GCSE Physics (8463), specification point 4.4.2.1. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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What is radioactive decay?
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The random process in which an unstable nucleus gives out radiation as it changes to become more stable.
Why is radioactive decay described as a random process?
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It is impossible to predict when any particular unstable nucleus will decay.
Define the activity of a radioactive source.
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The rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays.
Activity of a radioactive source is measured in ?.
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becquerel (Bq)
What is count-rate in radioactivity?
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The number of decays recorded each second by a detector, such as a Geiger-Muller tube.
Name a detector used to measure count-rate.
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A Geiger-Muller tube.
What does an alpha particle consist of?
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Two protons and two neutrons — the same as a helium nucleus.
An alpha particle is identical to a ? nucleus.
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helium
What is a beta particle?
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A high-speed electron ejected from the nucleus as a neutron turns into a proton.
What change inside the nucleus produces a beta particle?
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A neutron turns into a proton, ejecting a high-speed electron.
What is a gamma ray?
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Electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus.
Which three properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation are compared at GCSE?
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Penetration through materials, range in air, and ionising power.
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