The ionizing power of ionising radiation measures how many ions are formed in a given area when the radiation passes through it. Alpha particles have a double charge and are very massive compared to b [..]

Sometimes, after its emission of an alpha, beta or positron particle, the nucleus is still in an excited state, called a metastable state. In order to get to a lower energy state it emits a quantum of [..]

The activity of a radioactive sample is the number of emissions of nuclear radiation from that sample in one second. It is measured in becquerel (Bq)

                  An alpha particle  is:  A particle of nuclear radiation that is made up of two protons and two neutrons. It is therefore a helium nucleus with a nucleon number of 4 and a proton numb [..]

A negative ion.

When an antimatter particle meets with a matter particle they annihilate each other! Both particles disappear and two gamma rays are produced instead. Antimatter does not get very far through matter b [..]

The human involvement of changing one element into another by firing neutrons at a nucleus. On absorbing the neutrons the nucleus changes into a different isotope.  Animated gif: click here This is of [..]

An atom is the smallest chemically indivisible part of an element. An atom has a central nucleus composed of protons and neutrons. The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom determines which elem [..]

Atomic Mass Unit (u): This is a convenient mass unit to use when dealing with the masses of atoms and nuclear particles. Were the mass expressed in kilograms the values would be so tiny they would be [..]

Z (Also called the proton number, but at GCSE call it the atomic number in exams - using the physicist's term may lose you marks) - The atomic number of an atom is the number of protons in the nu [..]