RADIOACTIVI

TY
Consorte, Crystal Ann I.
Gabatin, Louella Faith L.
Ganalon, Kate U.
 INTRODUCTION
Every atom contains a nucleus at its core with a radius of
about m. The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons,
collectively called nucleons. The nuclear force holds the
nucleus together. This force of attraction is stronger than the
force of repulsion between pairs of protons. This force of
attraction between the nucleons decreases rapidly with
particle separation and is essentially inexistent for nucleons
that are more than m apart.
 Naturally occurring nuclei heavier than lead are usually
radioactive; many artificially produced elements that are lighter
are also radioactive. A radioactive nucleus spontaneously ejects
one or more of its particles to transform into a different nucleus.
This process of particle ejection corresponds to the radioactive
decay of the nucleus. It is termed "decay" because the process
transforms or changes ejected particles into a nucleus of an
element.
Radioactive decay entails the release of energy in the form
of radiation. The stability of a radioactive nucleus with
respect to its spontaneous decay is measured by its half-
life:

FORMULA:
𝟏
𝑻
𝟐
Half-life is defined as the amount of time in which half of
any sample of identical nuclei will undergo
decomposition. This means that after the period specified
by the half-life of the substance, only half of the original
amount of the substance will remain. After another half-
life, only half of the remaining amount will be left. This
process continues indefinitely because the amount of the
material can only become negligible, but not non- existent.
The half-life is constant for each isotope.
 A simple relation exists between the number of
atoms of radioactive material present (N) and the
number of atoms that will decay (λN) in a short time
(λt). This relationship is given by

In this equation, λ is referred to as the decay

constant, which is related to the half-life as given by,
 Δ𝑁
The quantity Δ 𝑡 at is referred to as the activity of the
sample or the rate of disintegrations in the sample. This
means that the sample steadily decreases with time and is
measured using the unit becquerel (Bq). Note that 1 Bq =
1 decay(s).
 Examples:
Problem:

• Cobalt-60 is usually used as a radiation source in the

practice of medicine. This isotope of cobalt has a half-
life of 5.25 years. How long will it take for its activity
to decrease to about one-eighth its original amount?
 Examples:
Solution:
In each half-life, only half of the sample decays remain. Note
that
(1/2)(1/2)(1/2)=(1/8)
Three half-lives or 15.75 should pass for the sample to decay
so that one-eighth of its original amount will remain.
 Examples:
Problem:

2. Radium has a half-life of 1620 years. Determine how

many radium atoms decay in 1 s in 1 g of its sample. The
atomic weight of radium is 226 kg/mol.
 Examples:
Solution:
 activity

1. Approximately 20%20% of the human body by

mass is carbon. Calculate the activity due to 14C14C
in 1.00 kg of carbon found in a living organism.
Express the activity in units of Bq and Ci.
solution
 activity

2.Pd-100 has a half-life of 3.6 days. If one had

6.02 x 10^23 atoms at the start, how many atoms
would be present after 20.0 days?
 solution

20.0 / 3.6 = 5.56 half-lives

(1/2)5.56 = 0.0213
(the decimal fraction remaining after 5.56 half-lives)
(6.02 x 10^23) (0.0213) = 1.28 x 10^22 atoms remain
 activity

3. How long will it take for a 40.0 gram sample

of I-131 (half-life = 8.040 days) to decay to 1/100
its original mass?
 solution

(1/2)n = 0.01
n log 0.5 = log 0.01
n = 6.64
6.64 x 8.040 days = 53.4 days
 activity

4. 100.0 grams of an isotope with a half-life of 36.0

hours is present at time zero. How much time will
have elapsed when 5.00 grams remains?
 solution

5.00 / 100.0 = 0.05 (decimal fraction remaining)

(1/2)n = 0.05
n log 0.5 = log 0.05
n = 4.32 half-lives
36.0 hours x 4.32 = 155.6 hours
 activity

5. In an ancient burial cave, your team of

archaeologists discovers ancient wood furniture.
Only 80% of the original 14^C remains in the wood.
How old is the furniture?
solution
 Key to Correction

1. 6.76 nCi
2. 1.28 x 10^22
3. 53.4 days
4. 155.6 hours
5. 1,844 years
10^22
 quiz

Identify what is told in the following.

1. It is the process that transforms or changes ejected particles into a nucleus

of an element.
2. The nucleus that is made up of protons and neutrons.
3. It is the amount of time in which half of any sample of identical nuclei
will undergo decomposition.
4. What is the formula of half-life of a substance.
5. What is the formula of the rate of disintegration in the sample.
 Key to Correction

1. Radioactive Decay
2. Nucleons
3. Half-life
4. T½
5. ∆N/∆T