AIM: WHAT IS RADIATION?

10/27/2013

RADIOACTIVIT Y

Radioactivity is the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei.

RADIOACTIVIT Y

After decaying, radioactive atoms change into other atoms

WHY DOES THE ATOM DO THIS?

To become more stable

RADIOACTIVIT Y

Three different kinds of radiation can be given off.

Alpha rays Beta rays Gamma rays

ALPHA PARTICLE

ALPHA PARTICLE
Alpha particle = Helium nucleus (2 protons & 2 neutron)
Net effect is a loss of 4 in mass number and a loss of 2 in atomic number.

BETA PARTICLE

BETA PARTICLE
Beta Particle = An electron
Net effect is to change a neutron to a proton which is a gain of 1 in atomic number

BETA PLUS DECAY POSITRON PRODUCTION

Positron particle with same mass as an electron but with a positive charge (antimatter version of an electron)
Net effect is to change a proton to a neutron.

GAMMA RADIATION

GAMMA RADIATION

Gamma = High energy photon Net effect is no change to atomic or mass number

SUMMARY

Change in Protons (atomic #) Change in Mass #

(protons & neutrons)

Decreases by 2

Increases by 1

No Change

Decreases by 4

No Change

No Change

URANIUM-238 DECAY SERIES

DECAY OF A RADIOACTIVE ELEMENT

Half of the radioactive parent atoms decay after one half-life. Half of the remainder decay after another half-life and so on