Chapter 5: Radioactivity

5.1 Understanding the Nucleus of an Atom

Proton Number (Z) and Nucleon Number (A)

NUCLIDES AND RADIOISOTOPE

Nuclide any particular type of an atom of an element Isotope atom that have the same proton number but different nucleon numbers. Isotope with unstable nuclei tend to decay. These isotopes are called radioisotope.

NUCLIDES AND RADIOISOTOPE

Chapter 5: Radioactivity
5.2 Analysing Radioactive Decay

TYPES OF NUCLEAR RADIATION

Alpha particles, Beta particles, Gamma rays,

IONISATION OF AIR MOLECULES

Radiation from radioactive elements causes ionisation of atoms in air by knocking electrons off atoms.

PROPERTIES

COMMON DETECTORS FOR RADIOACTIVE EMISSIONS

Geiger-Muller Tube (G-M tube) Spark counter Gold leaf Electroscope Cloud Chamber Photographic Plate or Film

RADIOACTIVE DECAY
Radioactive decay a process where unstable nucleus become a more stable nucleus by emitting radiations. This process is spontaneous and random. Radioactive decay
Alpha decay Beta decay Gamma emission

ALPHA DECAY

BETA DECAY

GAMMA EMISSION

QUESTION

THE CONCEPT OF HAL-LIFE

Half-life, is the time taken for half the atoms in a given sample to decay. Activity is the average number of disintegration per unit time in a radioactive sample. The half-life, T1/2 of a radioactive isotope is the time taken for the activity of atoms to fall to half of its original value. This decay process continues until a stable atom is produced.

How to determine the half-life?