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Atoms and nuclear radiation key terms
Study Atoms and nuclear radiation with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
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key terms
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Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Key terms
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
count rate
The number of counts detected each second or each minute from a radioactive source.
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
decay graph
A graphical representation showing the change in count rate or activity of a radioactive substance over time.
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
count rate
The number of counts detected each second or each minute from a radioactive source.
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
activity
The rate at which a sample of radioactive material decays, measured in becquerels (Bq).
count rate
The number of counts detected each second or each minute from a radioactive source.
background count rate
The count rate from natural background radiation that must be subtracted from the measured count rate to obtain the true count rate from a source.
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
decay curve
A graph showing the decrease in count rate or activity of a radioactive substance over time.
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
activity
The rate at which a sample of radioactive material decays, measured in becquerels.
half-life
The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample to halve.
decay graph
A graphical representation showing the change in count rate or activity of a radioactive substance over time.
radioactive contamination
the unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or inside an object or person.
irradiation
exposure to ionising radiation from a radioactive source.
irradiation
exposure to ionising radiation from a radioactive source
ionising radiation
radiation that carries enough energy to free electrons from atoms or molecules, thereby ionising them
radioactive contamination
The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or inside an object or person.
irradiation
Exposure to ionising radiation from a radioactive source.
radioactive contamination
The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or inside an object or person.
irradiation
Exposure to ionising radiation from a radioactive source.
irradiation
Exposure to ionising radiation from a radioactive source.
radioactive contamination
The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or inside an object or person.
ionising radiation
Radiation that carries enough energy to liberate electrons from atoms or molecules, thereby damaging cells and DNA.
contamination
The unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or inside an object or person, which can lead to exposure to ionising radiation.
ionising radiation
Radiation that carries enough energy to liberate electrons from atoms or molecules, potentially causing damage to biological tissues.
mutation
A change in the DNA sequence of an organism that can lead to alterations in its physical characteristics or functions.
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