RADIOACTIVIT Y

THE NUCLEUS

• Nucleus – made of protons and neutrons

– Most of the mass of the atom
– Very small compared to the size of the atom
• Isotopes – same number of protons different number of neutrons
– Mass number = protons + neutrons
THE NUCLEUS

• Forces in the Nucleus

– Strong Nuclear Force
• Causes protons and neutrons to be attracted
• 100 times stronger than electromagnetic force
• Short range force
– Electromagnetic Force
• Causes charges to attract or repel
• Relatively weak
• Long range force
THE NUCLEUS
• Size and Radioactivity
– Small nuclei
• Strong nuclear force greater
• Electromagnetic force weaker
• Held tightly together
– Large nuclei
• Electromagnetic force greater
• Strong nuclear force weaker
• Held together less tightly
– Ratio of neutrons to protons
• Ratio of 1:1 – 3:2 are stable
• Anything above 82 protons is radioactive
• Anything above 92 protons do not exist naturally
MRS. COULTER SAYS

• Do page 244 – Skip “Scan”

• Do page 245 – All
• Do page 246 – Skip “Connect It”
 NUCLEAR DECAY &
REACTIONS
Alpha Particles, a Beta Particles, b Gamma Rays, g
4He
2 protons and 2 neutrons, 2 0 High energy wave
Neutron loses electron, −1e

+2 charge -1 charge No charge

Mass number decreases by 4 Mass number stays same Mass number stays same

Atomic number decreases by 2 Atomic number increases by 1 Atomic number stays same

Slow particle speed Faster particle speed Fastest particle speed

Stopped by paper Stopped by thin metal Stopped by lead and concrete

Least dangerous More dangerous Most dangerous

NUCLEAR DECAY &
REACTIONS
• Alpha decay of Radon-216

• Alpha decay of Einstenium-243

NUCLEAR DECAY &
REACTIONS
• Beta decay of Iodine-129

• Beta decay of Antimony-124

NUCLEAR DECAY &
REACTIONS
• Gamma decay of Gadolinium-124

• Gamma decay of Plutonium-244

NUCLEAR DECAY &
REACTIONS
• Nuclear Fission
– Uranium-235 hit with neutron
– Breaks apart into two new atoms
and three neutrons
– Chain reaction – one neutron starts
a reaction triggering more reactions
– Controlled – nuclear power plants
– Uncontrolled – nuclear bombs
NUCLEAR DECAY &
REACTIONS
• Nuclear Fusion
– Two nuclei become one
– Must have enough energy to
overcome repulsion forces
– No radioactive waste
– Occurs in the sun
– Produces very high heat
– Requires lots of energy to
initiate reactions
 NUCLEAR DECAY &
REACTIONS
• Mass & Energy
– Small amount of mass creates huge amount of energy
– E = mc2
– Energy is mass times speed of light squared
MRS. COULTER SAYS

• Do page 247 – Skip “Preview”

• Do page 248 – All
• Do page 249 – Skip “Synthesize It”
 RADIATION TECHNOLOGIES
& APPLICATIONS
• Detecting Nuclear Radiation
– Geiger counter
– Film badge
• Background Radiation
– Most common is radon
– Can come from ground or building materials
– Depends on elevation
– Never removed from body
 RADIATION TECHNOLOGIES
& APPLICATIONS
• Using Radiation in Medicine
– Iodine tracers
• Iodine-131 accumulates in the thyroid
• Releases gamma rays
• Lack of detection could mean tumor
– Cancer treatments
• Cancer – cells replicate and grow out of
control
• Radiation pinpoints clump of cells
• Destroys the DNA and RNA
• Cells stop growing or even die
MRS. COULTER SAYS

• Do page 250 – Skip “Scan”

• Do page 251 – All
• Do page 252 – Skip “Synthesize It”
• Do page 253 - All