PHYSICS CHEAT SHEET

X
Mass Number- A
Mass number= nucleons= protons+ neutrons NOTE:
Atomic number= Protons (+ charged) C=Speed of Light
Atomic Number- Z
Neutrons (no charge)= mass number-atomic number = 3x10^8
Alpha decay (α) (Helium nucleus) Speed: ~0.1C NOTE:
α
In any nuclear
reaction, atomic and
When heavy nucleus decays, may eject alpha particle. mass numbers are
U→ Th+ α+energy conserved (stay the
same). Energy is
Beta decay (β) (electron FROM NUCLEUS) ~0.9C released during
β decays.
Occurs in nuclei (nucleuses) where there is imbalance of neutrons to protons.
C→ N+ β + antineutrino

Gamma Decay (γ) γ (High-frequency electromagnetic radiation; light wave) Speed: 1C

Generally after a radioisotope has emitted α or β, the new nucleus holds excess energy. Protons and
neutrons rearrange and release gamma.
I→ Xe+ β + γ

Isotopes of elements- Atoms with same number of protons but different number of neutrons
(same chemical properties).

Radioisotope- an unstable isotope that is radioactive.

Radioactivity- when an unstable isotope spontaneously emit a particle and then change into a
different element or isotope

Artificial Transmutation- manufacturing of radioisotopes by bombarding a stable isotope with

neutrons. A neutron is absorbed and the atom becomes an unstable isotope.

Instability
Imbalance of electric force of repulsion between protons, nuclear force of attraction between
nucleons (strong force; short range).
Detection
Geiger counter: radioactive emission enters the tube ionises argon gas and causes a pulse of
electrons to flow between the electrodes. Registers as a count on a meter.

Energy: α β γ
Mass Heavy Light None
Charge +2 -1 None
Activity: Typical 5MeV 1MeV 0.1MeV
Energy
Range in air A few cm 1 or 2 m Many m
Decay Rate: Penetration 10^-2 mm A few mm High
in matter
Ionising High reasonable Poor
ability
Measurement of exposure:
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