Radioactivity

Isotopes Two or more atoms having the same number of protons but a
different number of neutrons. Each isotope of an element is
called a nuclide. Some elements contain unstable nuclides. The
nuclei of these elements break up spontaneously with the
emission of radiation. Thses unstable nuclides are described as
radioactive and are called radioisotopes

Nuclear decay The change that occurs as a radioactive isotope changes into
different atoms.

Alpha (o) particles Positively charged particles released during radioactive decay.
These particles are in fact helium nuclei (
4
2
He
2+
)..

Beta (|) particles Negatively charged particles that have been identified as very
fast moving electrons (created when a neutron breaks up into a
proton and an electron).

Gamma () rays These are very high energy photons that can be emitted from a
nucleus during either alpha or beta decay.



Discovery

- Henri Becquerel (a French physicist) discovered radioactivity by accident. He
found that uranium minerals emit a penetrating radiation that is capable of
producing bright images on a photographic plate, even when covered.
- Marie Curie (Becquerels student) began a search for other radioactive minerals,
found some (particularly Thorium), and named the emissions radioactivity.
Marie and her husband Pierre purified samples of Polonium (Po) and Radium
(Ra).




Radioactive Decay

When elements other than radium were observed as products of radium decay, Ernest
Rutherford proposed in 1902 that radioactive emission results in the change of one
element into another.

When an element decays it forms a more stable atom, and the energy released during
the decay is carried off by the emitted particle (o or |) and/or released as gamma
rays. We call the original atom the parent and the resulting atom the daughter.

Radiation Relative
Charge
Relative
Mass
Nature Penetration Deflection
By Electric
Field
Alpha
particles
+2 4 2 protons and 2
neutrons (He
2+

ion)
Stopped by
a few sheets
of paper
Low
Beta
particles
-1 1
1836

Electron Stopped by
a few mm
of plastic
High
Gamma
rays
0 0 Electromagnetic
radiation of
very high
frequency
Stopped by
a few cm of
lead
None

The rate at which nuclei undergo radioactive decay varies between chemical elements.
It is an exponential process and decay rates are compared using the half-life (time
taken for half of the radioactive nuclei to undergo decay)

1. Alpha Decay An o particle is released from the nucleus. Mass number (A)
decreases by 4, and the atomic number (Z) decreases by 2. Every element
heavier than lead (Pb) and a few lighter ones, exhibit alpha decay.

226
88
Ra
222
86
Rn +
4
2
He

2. Beta (|) Decay Involves the ejection of a | particle from the nucleus. A |
particle is an electron that is expelled from the nucleus during beta-decay The
| particle is first formed in the nucleus by the conversion of a neutron into a
proton and a | particle. The | particle is expelled immediately and is
symbolized by
0
1
e

.

14
6
C
14
7
N +
0
1
e

Note: During beta decay an atom of the next higher atomic number is formed.

3. Gamma ( ) Emission Involves the radiation of high energy
electromagnetic radiation from a nucleus. Often, gamma radiation
accompanies either alpha or beta particle emission. Following emission of an
alpha or beta particle, the nucleus is in a high energy (excited) state, when it
relaxes, gamma radiation is emitted.
Gamma radiation is symbolized by
0
0
. An example of a nuclear equation
involving gamma radiation looks as follows:

137 137 0 0
55 56 1 0
Cs Ba e

+ +


Review uses of radioactivity in text. You are responsible for C-14, Co-60, I-131.

Simulation: Half-life and Radioactive Dating