Radioactivity

Radioactivity
• Radioactivity is a feature of certain types of 
matter. All matter is made of 
chemical elements, and elements are made
of atoms. Most atoms are stable. That is,
they do not change over time. Radioactive
atoms, however, do change over time. Small
particles and energy fly out of them
naturally. The particles and energy that are
released are a form of radiation.
• Radioactivity is the phenomenon exhibited by an
atom’s nuclei due to nuclear instability. In 1896,
Henry Becquerel discovered this phenomenon.
Radioactivity is a process by which the nucleus of
an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation
 Radioactive Decay

• The atoms are changed a little bit each time

they release something. They keep giving
off particles and energy until they are
changed into a stable form. That process is
called decay. The amount of time that each
type of atom takes to decay varies greatly. It
can be less than a second or millions of
years. The measure of that rate is called a
half-life
 Radioactive Decay
• A small amount of Uranium compound was
wrapped in black paper and put in a drawer
containing photographic plates. These plates
were later examined, and the results revealed
that there had been an exposure. Radioactive
Decay is the term introduced for this
phenomenon. The elements or isotopes that
emit radiation and go through radioactivity are
known as radioactive elements
• Nearly all radioactive elements have a
relatively high ratio of neutrons to protons.
For ex uranium with 143 neutrons to 92
protons.
• Elements with atomic numbers greater than
92 do not occur naturally but may be prepared
artificially by bombardment with neutrons or
protons. These elements are all radioactive
and have wide variety of uses. Some elements
lighter than 92 also do not occur naturally
because all their isotopes are radioactive.
Tecnetium and astatine are bright examples.
WHAT CAUSES RADIOACTIVE DECAY?

• Due to the radioisotope of the element

having an unstable nucleus, the atom
particles cannot be bonded since there is no
energy. The isotopes constantly decay to
stabilise themselves by releasing a
significant amount of energy in the form of
radiation. 
Unstable radionucleotide is called the «parent»
isotope and all the stable isotopes that eventually
result are called daughters.
• There are three types, namely:
1) Alpha
2) Beta
3) Gamma.
 Alpha decay:
• Alpha decay occurs when an α particle or He is emitted. It
has a group of two protons and two neutrons. For example,
alpha decay of uranium-238 is shown below
 Beta 𝛽 Decay:
• A beta particle is often referred to as an electron, but it
can also be a positron. So beta decay is the process of
an unstable radioactive nucleus emitting a beta
particle, that is, an electron. And as we mentioned, the
goal of this emission, as with any radioactive
emission, is to create a more stable atomic nucleus. 
 Gamma Decay:

Consist of the emission of electromagnetic radiation of

very high frequency and energy.
 • Gamma radiation is emitted from excited
nuclei of elements that have formed as a
result of radioactive decay by emitting
alpha or beta particles and removes further
energy from their nucleus. Gamma ray
photons have energies of about 1x10-12
• joules.
Gamma radiation is the
release of a high-energy
photon
• Alpha radiation, can be blocked easily with nothing more
than a sheet of paper. 
• Beta radiation, requires something heftier, like a metal
sheet. 
• Gamma-rays, require an entire block of lead to be stopped
 IS RADIOACTIVE DECAY
PREDICTABLE?

• Radioactive decay is totally random. If you

were to take a single atom, you would never
be able to predict exactly when that atom
will decay. This is because even highly
unstable nuclei are bound together. There's
still a strong force "bag" holding all the
sloshing protons and neutrons inside it. 
 Uses of Radioactivity

• When there are many particles and lots of

energy being released at once, radioactivity
can be very dangerous to humans. It can
cause cancer and other illnesses. However,
many atoms are naturally radioactive. The
particles and energy that they release are
present all the time and are not harmful.
• The radioactive element uranium is used to make
nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. Doctors use
radioactivity to treat some cancers. They can make the
particles and energy attack and destroy cancer cells.
• Radioactive materials can be very harmful
to people. Always wear protective
clothing (e.g. disposable gloves, lab coat,
• safety glasses) when handling radioactive
materials.
 PRECAUTION

• Do not bring personal belongings into the radioactive

work areas of the lab. Avoid wearing rings, watches,
and similar items during work.
• Do not work with radioactive materials if you have an
open cut or wound.
• Do not store food or drink containers in the same
location as radioactive materials. This particularly
applies to refrigerators containing, or labeled as
containing, radioactive materials.