Nuclear Reactions

Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Decay

The Atom
The atom consists of two parts:

1. The nucleus which contains:

protons
neutrons

2. Orbiting electrons.
Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons

Z
X Element symbol

Atomic number = number of protons

 A

Z
X
A = number of protons + number of neutrons
Z = number of protons

A – Z = number of neutrons

Number of neutrons = Mass Number – Atomic Number

There are many types of uranium:

235 238

92
U 92
U
A A
Z Z
Number of protons Number of protons
Number of neutrons Number of neutrons
There are many types of uranium:

235 238

92
U 92
U
A 235 A 238
Z 92 Z 92
Number of protons 92 Number of protons 92
Number of neutrons 143 Number of neutrons 146

Isotopes of any particular element contain the same

number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons.
 Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay results in the emission of either:

• an alpha particle (),

• a beta particle (),

• or a gamma ray
Radioactive Particles
 Alpha Decay

An alpha particle is identical to that of a helium nucleus.

It contains two protons and two neutrons.

 Alpha Decay

A A-4 4

Z
X Z-2
Y + 2
He

unstable atom alpha particle

more stable atom
 Alpha Decay
222
226 Rn
88
Ra 86

2
He
 Alpha Decay

A A-4 4

Z
X Z-2
Y + 2
He

226 222 4
88
Ra 86
Rn + 2
He
 Alpha Decay

222 A 4

86
Rn Z
Y + 2
He

222 218 4

86
Rn 84
Po + 2
He
 Beta Decay
A beta particle is a fast moving electron which is
emitted from the nucleus of an atom undergoing
radioactive decay.

Beta decay occurs when a neutron changes into a

proton and an electron.
 Beta Decay
As a result of beta decay, the nucleus has one less
neutron, but one extra proton.

The atomic number, Z, increases by 1 and the mass

number, A, stays the same.
 Beta Decay
218
218 At
84
Po 85

-1

 Beta Decay

A A 0

Z
X Z+1
Y + -1


218 218 0

84
Po 85
At + -1

 Beta Decay

234 A 0

90
Th Z
Y + -1


234 234 0

90
Th 91
Pa + -1

 Beta Decay

A 210 0

Z
X 82
Pb + -1


210 210 0

81
Tl 82
Pb + -1

 Beta Decay

210 A 0

83
Bi Z
Y + -1


210 210 0

83
Bi 84
Po + -1

 Beta Decay

A 214 0

Z
X 83
Bi + -1


214 214 0

82
Pb 83
Bi + -1

 Gamma Decay
Gamma rays are not charged particles like  and 
particles.

Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation with high

frequency.

When atoms decay by emitting  or  particles to form a

new atom, the nuclei of the new atom formed may still
have too much energy to be completely stable.

This excess energy is emitted as gamma rays (gamma ray

photons have energies of ~ 1 x 10-12 J).
Half life, decay constant

m = massa
N = jumlah partikel
t = waktu peluruhan
T = waktu paruh
A = aktivitas peluruhan
UMPTN 2001/Rayon C
Suatu unsur radio aktif waktu paruhnya 100 detik. Bila
massa bahan radioaktif itu mula-mula 1 gram, maka
setelah 5 menit massanya tinggal ... Gram.
a.1/3
b.1/4
c.1/5
d.1/6
e.1/8
UMPTN 2001/Rayon B
Suatu unsur radioaktif meluruh dan tinggal 25% dari
jumlah semua setelah 20 menit. Bila mula-mula massa
unsur tersebut 120 gram, maka setelah setengah jam
meluruh massa unsur yang belum meluruh tinggal ...
A) 60 gram D) 15 gram
B) 40 gram E) 10 gram
C) 30 gram 120

60

30

15

10 20 30
(mnt)