Radioactive Isotopes or Radioisotopes (page 25)

Radioisotopes are isotopes with unstable nuclei so they easily emit radiation while changing to another element.

The 3 forms of radiation emitted by radioisotopes are: 1. alpha particles 2. beta particle 3. gamma rays

Name of radiation

Symbol

Nature of the radiation

Mass

Charge

alpha particle

helium nucleus
or (2p + 2n)

2+

beta particle

or

electron

-1

gamma ray

0 0 or

electromagnetic waves

Alpha particles (least harmful) have the least penetrating power while gamma rays (most harmful) have the greatest. See page 25 figure 7

Classwork: Radioactive decay worksheet

Complete the Tritium assignment (See handout)