B.Sc .

Part
Part- II. (Physics honours)
By
Mr. Tinku Kumar
Assistant Professor (PT)
Department of Physics Patna Science
College, Patna University, Patna
Email id:- tinkujaymatadi@gmail.com

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 Radioactive Radiation
Introduction :

Lord Rutherford carried out extensive experiments to find out the

nature of radiations emitted during the process of disintegration. He

found that during a radioactive decay three types of radiations or

Becquerel rays are emitted namely α-(Alpha), β-(Beta) and -(Gamma)

rays. Rutherford analyzed these radiations and sorted them out.

(i) By observing the relative absorption of these rays by solids

and gases.

(ii) By observing the deflections of the rays in strong magnetic

and electric fields.

Rutherford found that one of the radiations are readily absorbed by

even a thick sheet of paper. This he called α-rays. The other radiations

was much more penetrating and could pass through 5 mm of

Aluminium. Which he called β-rays. Later a more penetrating radiations

was discovered which could pass through several cms of iron (30 cm)

and was called -rays. Thus there radiations can be separated by making

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use of their different penetrating powers; but the deflection methods of

their separation are much better.

Effect of Magnetic field on Becquerel rays :

A small quantity of a radioactive substance (say radium) is placed

within a drill hole made in a thin lead block so that some of the rays

could pass through the hole as shown in Fig.- 1. A strong magnetic field

is applied at right angles and into the plane of the paper. It is found that

α-rays are deflected to the left showing, according to Fleming's left hand

rule, that they are positively charged. Moreover the deflection of α-rays

is very small, indicating that they possess particles of relatively large

mass. β-rays are deflected to the right showing that they are negatively

charged. Moreover the deflection of β-rays is relatively great, indication

that they are extremely light particles, -rays are undeflected indicating

that they carry no charge. Also each set of particles is deflected by

different amounts showing that their velocities are not the same.

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Effect of Electric Field on Becquerrel Rays :

Becquerel rays can also be separated by electric field. If

Becquerrel rays are subjected to an electric field (Fig-) between the

plates P and Q, P being at higher potential relative to plate Q, then β-

particles are deflected towards the positive plate P, the α-particles

towards the negative plate Q, whereas the -rays are undeviated, This

showing that α-rays are positively charged, β-rays negatively charged

and -rays uncharged.

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 Further investigation showed that not all three emanations are

emitted simultaneously by all radioactive substance. Some elements emit

α-particles others emit β-particles; while -rays sometimes accompany

one and sometimes the other.

Moreover the deflection of α-rays is very small, indicating that

they possess particles of relatively large mass. β-rays are deflected to the

right showing that they are negatively charged. Moreover the deflection

of β-rays is relatively great, indication that they are extremely light

particles, -rays are undeflected indicating that they carry no charge.

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Also each set of particles is deflected by different amounts showing that

their velocities are not the same.

Radioactivity :

The phenomenon of spontaneous decay of a nucleus accompanied

by the emission of α-particles, β-particle or -rays is known as

radioactivity. The radioactivity is a nuclear phenomenon.

The decaying nucleus is called the parent radionuclide (or parent

radioisotope), and the process produces at least one daughter nuclide.

Except for gamma decay or internal conversion from a nuclear excited

state, the decay is a nuclear transmutation resulting in a daughter

containing a different number of protons or neutrons (or both). When the

number of protons changes, an atom of a different chemical element is

created.

Thank You