2/23/2021

Natural Radioactivity
• Review of Structure and Properties of the Nucleus
• Review of Binding Energy and Nuclear Forces
• Radioactivity
• Alpha Decay
• Beta Decay
PHY 142 • Gamma Decay
• Half-Life and Rate of Decay
• Calculations Involving Decay Rates and Half-Life
Natural Radioactivity • Decay Series
Wave particle duality of light • Effects

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Review of Structure and Properties of the Nucleus

• Rutherford’s experiments - at the center of an atom there is a tiny but massive nucleus with a
positive charge. At the same time that the quantum theory was being developed and scientists were
attempting to understand the structure of the atom and its electrons.
• By the early 1930s, a model of the nucleus had been developed that is still useful. According to this
model, a nucleus is made up of two types of particles: protons and neutrons.
• These experiments show that we can model a nucleus as a sphere with a radius R that depends on
the total number of nucleons (neutrons and protons) in the nucleus. This number is called the
nucleon number A.
• It was found that nuclei have a roughly spherical shape with a radius that increases with A according
to the approximate formula 1
R  Ro A3 (radius of a nucleus)
where Ro  1.2  1015 m
4
V   R3
3
• The most common kind of iron nucleus has mass number A 56. Find the radius, approximate mass,
and approximate density of the nucleus.

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Binding Energy
• binding energy (BE) of a nucleus to be the energy required to completely
disassemble it into separate protons and neutrons. BE of a nucleus can be
determine from its rest mass

E  ( m )c 2

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Radioactivity
• It is the spontaneous decay or disintegration of the nucleus of an
atom of an element during which alpha, beta and gamma rays or
combination of any or all the three and energy is released.
• Radioactive elements:- elements that spontaneously emit radiation
from their Nucleus. E.g. Radon, Thorium, Radium
• Classes of Radioactivity
• Natural Radioactivity
• Artificial radioactivity
Characteristics of Radioactive elements
1. They affect the light sensitive emulsion on a photographic film
2. They produce an electric charge in the surrounding air
3. They produce fluorescence with certain other compound
4. Their radiations have special physiological effects.
5. They undergo radioactive decay.
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Radioactivity is the spontaneous Why does the atom do this?

disintegration of atomic nuclei. The – the nucleus attempts to become more stable
nucleus emits α(alpha) particles, • 1. can create a new element
ß(beta) particles, or electromagnetic • 2. a new form of the original element (isotope)
appears.
rays (Gamma Rays) during this
– this process is referred to as the decay of
process. atoms.
• The rate of Radioactive decay is described in
After decaying radioactive atoms half-
half -lives
lives.
“change” into other atoms

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5 Energy is released during radioactive decay 6

Types of Nuclear Radiation
• When an unstable nucleus
decays, particles and
energy are given off from
the decaying nucleus.

• α (Alpha) and β (Beta)

radiation is in the form of
particles

• γ (Gamma) radiation is in the

form of waves
– kind of like light but higher
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frequency
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7 •8 Alpha particles
Nuclear Decay Emission What will stop it Hazardous?

2 Protons + 2 Piece of paper or 1st Only in inhaled or

Neutrons layer of skin ingested
2 protons & 2 neutrons
(equivalent to a Will effect sensitive
Helium nucleus) cells such as lungs,
liver and bones
Neutron decays into a proton
& an electron is given off

Only Energy is release

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Examples of Alpha Decay

Alpha particles
 They are deflected by a strong magnetic field.
 The range of the particle in air is about 5 cm. they
are easily stopped by a piece of paper.
 High ionizing power.
 They cause subs. Like zinc sulphide to
fluorescence and also blacken photographic plate

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• Beta particles Examples of Beta Decay

Emission What will stop it Hazardous? Extra

1 e- charge Clothing If inhaled or Unstable

A few ingested Neutron will
(equivalent 1 centimeters of Can cause decay into a
electron) wood damage to proton
skin if
exposed long
enough

Beta Decay with

Gamma
Radiation

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• Gamma rays
Emission What will stop it Hazardous?

Electromagnetic Penetrates matter Very hazardous

waves (energy) easily
Stopped by water,
(like light, radio or thick layers of
TV but must faster) concrete or lead

•However, gamma radiation often accompanies alpha and

beta emission, which do change the element's identity.
•Gamma rays have the highest penetrating power.
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Gamma Radiation

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The three types of radiation The three types of radiation

Alpha α
Beta β
Gamma γ
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The three types of radiation The three types of radiation

 A helium nucleus, consisting of  Each beta particle is an electron.

Alpha α two protons and two neutrons.

 A relative charge of +2.
 A high mass compared with
beta particles.
 Speed up to 0.1 x speed of
Beta β light
 Strong ionizing effect
 Not very penetrating (stopped
by paper, or skin, or a few
Alpha α  A relative charge of -1.
 A low mass compared with alpha
particles.
 Speed up to 0.9 x speed of light
 Weak ionizing effect.
Beta β  Penetrating, but stopped by a few
millimetres of aluminium or other
metal.
 Deflected by magnetic and electric
fields

Gamma γ centimetres of air

 Deflected by magnetic and
electric fields
Gamma γ
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The three types of radiation The three types of radiation Ionizing effect

 Not particles, but

Alpha α electromagnetic waves and part Alpha α
of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
 No charge.

Beta β
 No mass
 Travel at the speed of light Beta β
 Very weak ionising effect.
 Very strongly penetrating –
intensity reduced by lead and Ionizing effect = ability to remove
Gamma γ
Gamma γ thick concrete, but never
completely stopped.
 Not deflected by magnetic or
electrons from atoms in its path.
(These atoms then become ions).

electric fields
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The three types of radiation Penetrating effect The three types of radiation Effect of fields

Alpha α Stopped by paper or skin, or

a few centimetres of air

+ β

Beta β Stopped by a few millimetres

of aluminium or other metal. - α

Gamma γ Stopped by lead and thick

concrete, but never completely.
α particles – positively charged, so deflected in the direction of the negative terminal (or
south pole).
β particles – negatively charged, so deflected in the direction of the positive terminal (or
north pole)
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γ particles – no charge, so not deflected by magnetic or electric fields.

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The three types of radiation Summary of effects

Radioactive decay is a random

event –
The unstable nuclei in some
materials will break up, or
disintegrate. It is impossible
to predict exactly which nuclei
will decay. This disintegration
of the nuclei is called
radioactive decay.
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Half-Life and Rate of Decay

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Activity Half-Life
• The rate of decay of any isotope is often
specified by giving its “half-life” rather than
the decay constant λ.
• The half-life of an isotope is defined as the
time it takes for half the original amount of
parent isotope in a given sample to decay.

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Approach: We use the definition of the mole and Avogadro’s number

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(b) From Equation

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Biological Effects of Radiation:

radiation causes physical damage to Biological Effects of Radiation:
cells and DNA.
Medium dose, (500 - 1200 rads)

Radiation can result in the destruction on causes death to occur in a few days because


the DNA backbone (Helix). of the destruction of the gastrointestinal tract

At high doses (10,000 - 15,000 rads),
death occurs in a few hours because of
neurological and cardiovascular breakdown
(Central Nervous Syndrome).
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Lower doses (250 - 500 rads)
causes death to occur after several
weeks due to damage of the blood
forming organs (hematopoietic syndrome).
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Radiation is used positively in a variety of ways 15 16

Industry

Medicine •Manufacturers use radiation to check the thickness

•For example, radiation and radioactive tracers are used to diagnose and treat of metal containers by measuring the amount of
medical problems.
•A radioactive tracer is a radioactive isotope that is added to a
radiation that passes through.
substance so that the substance can be detected later.
•Radioactive tracers are used to
•locate tumors •Small amounts of radioactive isotopes, like
•study the functioning of a particular organ magnesium-28, can be introduced in a water source to
•monitor the flow of blood.
•For example, radioactive iodine-131 is used to diagnose thyroid determine the flow of underground water or to
problems. determine if an underground water system is leaking.
•Radiation therapy (used
( to treat cancer) involves the use of radioactive
isotopes such as gold-198 or iridium-192.
•Radioactive isotopes are even used in smoke alarms.

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Generate electrical power Fission and Fusion
Nuclear fission is used to generate
Fission Fusion
electricity as an alternative energy
source. Splitting a nucleus Combining of two nuclei.

Dating-- finding the age

Dating
Even the age of fossils or rocks can
be determined by using radioactive
isotopes.
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Fission VS Fusion
• Fission VS Fusion
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Issues for Fission Power Plants
•Need for a spent fuel disposal facility
and a decommissioning plan
•Use of large amounts of water for
cooling purposes–thermal pollution
•Biological impacts on the ocean due to
thermal discharge (if seawater cooling is
used)
•Public safety concerns
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•Nuclear power can
come from the fission of
uranium, plutonium or
thorium or the fusion of
hydrogen into helium.
•Today it is almost all
uranium.
•The fission of an atom
of uranium produces 10
million times the energy
produced by the
combustion of an atom
of carbon from coal.
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FUSION
•Fusion reaction: occurs when nuclei of light elements
are forced together at extremely high temperatures
until they fuse into nuclei of heavier elements and
release enormous amounts of energy.
•Issues: The fuel must be heated in the form of
plasma (a highly ionized gas) to a very high
temperature.
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Identify each type of reaction…alpha, beta, gamma, fusion or fission...write your answers
below your crossword on the ½ sheet.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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