IGN SUDARYADI, M.Kes.

Rad-Biologi UGM

Chemical versus Nuclear Reactions:

1. 2Na+ + H2O ----> 2NaOH + 2H+

3-5 eV in this reaction
2.

2He

4Be

---->

12

6C

0n

10 million eV in this reaction

In a nuclear reaction, we have to balance both mass and proton number.
Transmutation : changing one element into another
35

17Cl

32

16S

+ 10n ------> 3215P + 42He

+ 10n ------> 3215P + 11p

Chemical reactions involve changes in the outer electronic structure of the atom
whereas nuclear reactions involve changes in the nucleus

Discuss the history of

Radioactivity
A series of incidents spark the birth of nuclear
radiology

Einstein: Relativity theory (1905), quantum theory

Discovery of x-rays in 1895 by W.C. Roentgen
Discovery of radioactivity by Henri Becquerel in 1896
Discovery of radium by Pierre and Marie curie in 1898
Rutherford: (1902) transmutations "changing one element
to another

 Isotopes are atoms of the same element that differ in mass.

They have the same number of protons and electrons but have a
different mass which is due to the number of neutrons.
1. All radio isotopes have a particular kind of radiation emission
2. Energy and mass are equivalent (Einstein) higher mass, higher
energy
3. All radio nuclides have a characteristic energy of radiation
4. All radio nuclides possess a characteristic rate of decay
Dealing with reactions in the outer ring that compromise and produce
chemical reactions.
__________________________________________
atomic mass units
charge
(amu)
__________________________________________
proton
1.007594
+
electron
0.000549
neutron
1.008986
none
__________________________________________

6 Protons- Atomic Number (determines

what the element is)

14C

6 (8)

(8) ~ 8 Neutrons
14 = P+N = Atomic Mass

Isotope (of a given element) same atomic number, different atomic

masses (different # of neutrons)

14

6C

12

6C

235

92U

238

92U

Stable Isotope Non-Radioactive Isotope (not decomposing)

Radioisotope or Radionuclide unstable isotope that spontaneously
decays emitting radiation
Radioactive decay: not affected by temperature or environmental
conditions

m E
Z

1 H
1

4 He
2

E- element
m mass
z - atomic number (# of protons in the nucleus)
All hydrogen atoms have one proton
__________________________________________
1 H
2 H
3 H
1
1
1
__________________________________________
stable

stable
radioactive
deuterium
tritium
mass = 1
mass=2
mass=3
no neutron
1 neutron
2 neutrons
1 proton
1 proton
1 proton
1 electron
1 electron
1 electron
__________________________________________
12 C
13 C
14 C
6
6
6
__________________________________________
stable
stable
radioactive
mass=12
mass=13
mass=14
6 neutrons
7 neutrons
8 neutrons
6 protons
6 protons
6 protons
6 electrons
6 electrons
6 electrons
__________________________________________

Half-Life
Half-life is the
amount of time
needed for the
activity to reach
one half of the
original amount.

1
2

t
T1/2

1.00

0.80

ln ( 2 )
T1/2

0.60

One half-life
0.40

Two half-lives
0.20

0.007
0.00
0

20

40

60

Days

80

100

Radiation is everywhere
Cosmic

Inhaled Radon

Bodies

Plants

Radioactive Elements
Rocks

We live in a sea of radiation

1.

When is an Isotope Stable, or Why are Some Isotopes Radioactive?

Radioactive isotope Stable Isotope

RULES
A.

All nuclei > 84 protons are unstable (the nucleus gets too big, too
many protons)

B.

Very Stable: Atomic Number 2, 8, 20, 50, 82 or 126

C.

Isotopes with Proton=Neutrons are more stable

80

unstable

Belt of stability

# of neutrons

unstable
# of protons

Where do Radionuclides/Stable Isotopes Come From?

Fission: Splitting the Nucleus to Release Energy and Sub Atomic Particles

Decay Series: Series of Reactions That Ends With a Stable Isotope

U, Th, Pa, U, Th, Ra, Rn, Po, Pb, Bi, Po, Pb, Bi, Po, Pb

Fission Reaction Used for Radio Dating

238U

Geologic Time (106 years)

t 1/2 = 4.5x109 yr

14C Up to 20,000 B.P. (before present)

t 1/2 =5700 yr

14

7N

+ 10n 146C + 11H (14C being produced all the time in the upper atmosphere)

14

6C

147N + 0-1e (beta particle)

Living Tissue

14C/12C,

Dead Tissue

14C/12C<

14C/12C

tissue

atmosphere

Clock starts when you die

Tissue ratio same as atmospheric ratio

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