RADIOACTIVITY

RADIO ACTIVITY
• It is the spotaneous emission of particles or high-
energy electromagnetic radiation from the nuclei of
unstable atoms.This is due to disintegration of the
atomic nuclei.(ratio of protons and neutrons is
around 1:1 in a stable nucleus)
TYEPS OF
RADIOACTIVITY
Alpha-Carry a positive charge(has
a lower penetration power,can
stopped by a paper),the heaviest
Beta rays-carry a negative one(Has
low penetration power compared
to gamma and higher compared to
alapha:Can be stopped by
aluminium foil)less heavy
Gamma rays-neutral;(Penetration
power is higher can be stopped by
thick lead)-lightest
ISOTOPES
AND Atoms of elements -Some isotopes

RADIO with the same

number of protons
are referred to be
stable and others

ISOTOPES
but different as unstable or
nucleon number radioactive.

-Radioisotopes are
unstable isotopes -They can occur
which decay and naturally or
give out artificially
radiioactive produced
emissions
PROPERTIES OF
RADIOISOTOPES -Emits radioactive radiation

-Radioactive eadiations can kill cells

-Radioactive radiations have different penetratin ability with materials of

different thickness and densities

-Radioactive radioations can cause cell mutation

-Radioactive radiation can ionize molecules

-Its activity decreases with time

-Radioisotopes have the same chemical propertoes as non-radioactive

isotopes of the same element
TYPES RADIATION
• The alpha particle (α) which is the helium nuclei.
(4,2) 𝐻𝑒 238 92 𝑈 234 90 𝑇ℎ + 4 2 𝐻𝑒
The beta particle (β) which is a high speed electron. 0
−1 𝑒 228 88 𝑅𝑎 228 89 𝐴𝑐 + 0 −1 𝑒
The gamma ray (γ) which is electromagnetic radiation.
Consider it high energy xrays. It usually is with other
types of radiation. 238 92 𝑈 234 90 𝑇ℎ + 4 2 𝐻𝑒 + 0
0