CHAPTERS 18

Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Important nomenclature and ideas
1.Atom and Atomic Nucleus
2.Radioactive Decay
3.Background Radiations
4.Nuclear Transmutations
5.Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Decays
6.Half Life and Measurement
7.Radioisotopes and uses
8.Nuclear Fusion
9.Nuclear Fission

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What are atoms?
Atoms are the smallest particles of matter

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 Positrons have same
mass and spin as
electron but positive
charge

The spontaneous emission of radiation by unstable nuclei is

called natural radioactivity
The elements which emit such radiations are called
radioactive elements

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Background radiations

Radiation present in the atmosphere due to different radioactive

substances i-e soil, rock, water, air

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 Nuclear Transmutations

The spontaneous process in which a parent unstable nuclide changes

Into a more stable daughter nuclide with emissions of radiations is called
nuclear transmutations

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 Half Life

The rate at which a radioactive isotope decays is measured

in half-life.

The time during which half of the unstable radioactive nuclei disintegrate is
called half life

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 Radioisotopes and uses

Isotopes are atoms with the same atomic number but different mass
numbers

Radioactivity is the spontaneous degradation of nucleus & transmission of

one element to another with consequent emission of rays ( or ) particles

The stable or non radioactive elements can also be changed into radioactive
Element by bombarding them with protons, neutrons or alpha particles that
artificially produced elements are called radioisotopes

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Applications:

Traces
Medical treatment
Carbon dating

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Tracers:
Chemical compounds containing some quantity of radioisotope

Used to explore metabolism of chemical reactions inside human

body, animals, plants

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Nuclear Fission

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Nuclear Fusion

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Hazards of Radiations:
•Radiation burns cause redness and sores on
skin
•Sterility (inability to produce children)
•Genetic mutations in humans and plants .
Children born with serious deformations.
•Leukemia (cancer of the blood cells)
•Blindness and formation o contract in the eyes

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Safety Measures:
•Sources should be handled with tongs
and forceps
•Use rubber gloves and hand wash
•Stored in thick lead containers
•Never point a source towards a
person
•Frequent visits should be avoided

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