Nuclear Physics

Radioactivity
Nuclear reactions

Radioactivity:
Phenomenon in which a heavy, unstable nucleus, like uranium, gives out radiations i.e. ,
and is called radioactivity.
Radioactive element:
Elements which gives/emits nuclear radiation
Discovering , and radiations:
Naturally radioactivity radiations emitted by naturally occurring elements.
Artificial radioactivity Element/Nucleus of certain elements can be made radioactive such
radioactivity is called artificial radioactivity.
FIG
When radioactive element is exposed to photographic film, installed in a vacuum chamber
provided with electric and magnetic fields mutually perpendicular, as shown in the diagram
above.
After exposing over a period, when the film is developed, there spots are obtained on the film.
i.
ii.

iii.

a spot towards ve end of the film, indicating that the spot is due to +vely charged
radiations called Alpha radiations they are positively charged symbols .
Another spot formed towards the +ve end of the film, indicating that the spot is due to
vely charged radiations called Beta radiations they are negatively charged
Symbol
Third spot is formed right in front of the radioactive source indicating that they are not
deflected by electricity and magnetic fields, hence are neutral.
These radiations are called Gamma radiations
Symbol ()

Characteristics of radiations/particles:
i.

Nature: Alpha radiations are positively charged particles with charge equal to twice the
charge of proton, and mass equal to four times the mass of hydrogen atom (or nucleus).
Hence particle is taken as helium nucleus i.e. ++2He4
FIG

ii.

They carry energy.

iii.

They move at about one tenth of speed of light.

iv.

They are highly ionizing i.e. they ionize the gas through which they pass.

v.

Least penetrating, can travel a maximum distance of 5 cm in air.

vi.

They can be blocked/absorbed by the sheet of paper. They show deflection in electric and
magnetic fields.
FIG

vii.

They produce fluorescence effect on striking fluorescent coated surface.

viii.

They are harmful radiations which cause skin diseases.

Characteristics of Beta particles/Radiation:

i.

v.
vi.
vii.

They cue negatively charged particles and has same charge and mass as that of an
electrons, hence they are taken to be fast moving electrons.
They carry energy.
They move almost at the same speed of light.
They are less ionizing than alpha particles/ they have less ionizing power than Alpha
particles.
They are more penetrating than Alpha particles.
They can be blocked by few inns, thick aluminum sheet.
They show deflection in Electric and magnetic field.

viii.
ix.

FIG
They produce fluorescence effect on striking fluorescent coated surface.
They are harmful radiations, cause skin diseases.

ii.
iii.
iv.

Characteristics of rays/radiation:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.

Gamma rays are electrically neutral and carry no mass. Hence, they are electromagnetic
radiations.
Carry energy.
They move at the speed of light.
They are least ionizing.
They are highly penetrating and can be blocked/absorbed by few cm thick lead sheet.
They dont show deflection electric and magnetic fields.
They produce fluorescence effect on striking fluorescent coated surface.

viii.

They are harmful radiations, cause skin disease.

Radiation Detector:
GM Tube:
FIG
GM Tube: A device used to detect nuclear radiations. It consists of a metal cylinder fitted with a
axial rod, which is insulated from the cylinder. The rod acts as anode and metal cylinder acts as
cathode. Some inert gas is trapped in it, and a mica window is fitted at its outer end.
Working: When radiations from the radioactive source enter this tube, they produce ionization
in the gas trapped in it. The ions so formed, more towards corresponding electrodes. These
moving charges develop weak current in the circuit, this current is fed to amplifier which
enlarges this current, and the scalar shows deflection on Ammeter. Whereas the counter records
the No. of particles/radiations, entering the tube.

Discussion

Alpha more current as more ionizing

Beta less current as less ionizing

Nuclear Physics!
-

Radioactivity:
FIG

Traces of ionized paths in alcohol vapors at low pressure due to nuclear radiations observed in
cloud chamber.

Continuous bold tracks in alcohol vapors represent strongly ionizing/heavy particles or

radiation i.e. Alpha.
Broken, discontinuous zigzag paths show weaker ionization caused by Beta
particles/radiations.
Distant clots observed due to weakest ionization caused by gamma radiations.

Fluorescent coated screen can be used to detect nuclear radiations.

more energy

more effect

more energy so shows most effects

weaker than alpha

 weakest affect
Randomness (related to type) and spontaneity (related to time) of radiations:
It is no possible/impossible of predict the time and type of emission of nuclear radiation.
This phenomenon is called randomness and spontaneous behavior/effect.

Uranium is a radioactive source, it gives all three radiations.

The type and time of radiations cant be predicted.
For any radioactive nucleus the type + type cant be emitted.

RADIOACTIVE DECAY:
The transformation of parent nucleus into daughter nucleus by emitting Alpha, Beta and gamma
radiations (nuclear radiations) is called nuclear decay.
Parent Nucleus: Which emits radiations
Daughter Nucleus: After emitting radiations

Parent

daughter + alpha

There are three types of nuclear decays

Alpha Decay
Beta Decay
Gamma Decay

ALPHA DECAY ():

Emission of Alpha particle from a radioactive nucleus
During decay, parent nucleus transforms into daughter nucleus according to following
equation.
X AZ

(Parent)

A 4
He4 + Y Z2

()

decay (Beta):
Emission of beta particles from a radioactive nucleus

P
e
X AZ

Emitted out as

A0
-1 + Y Z +1

z (-1)
(z + 1)

Electron doesnt take part in mass exchange as its mass is negligible.

X 250
94

Q.

If emits 2 and 2
252
X 92
If emits 2
252
X 90

During a decay, a neutron changes into an electron and proton.

Electrons cant stay in
So is emitted out

Gamma Decay: ()
Emission of gamma radiations from radioactive nucleus
When
A

XZ

Emits and it has gaps between as a jar filled with something need
to be shaken to fill the gaps differ the thrown (in) of fillings.
FIG

The nucleus in this state is known as excited nucleus.

*
A

XZ

When this shuffles gamma are emitted.

Half Life: Duration/Time in which half of the radioactive parent nuclei transforms into daughter
nuclei by emitting radiation , and .
OR
Time in which current falls to half if its initial (original) value.
OR
Time in which count rate falls to half of its original value.
OR
Time in which half of the original mass decays by emitting radiations.
OR
Time in which activity of the radioactive substance falls to half of its original value.
FIG
*

*
n

Remaining Activity =
Where

( 12 )

x original activity

n = No. of half lives

n=

Total period
1half life

Find the mass after 8 days, given that half life is 2 days.
n=

8
2

n=4
1 4
800
2

()

R . Mass=

1
16

x 800

R.M = 50 gm
Count rate of certain radioactive element falls to one eighth of its initial value, given that half life
of the element is 5 years.
Calculate the duration in which activity falls to the given value.
n

1
1
x=
x
8
2

()

1
1
=
8
2

()()
1 3 1
=
2
2

() ()

n=3
n=

total period
1 half life

3=

TP
5

TP = 15
Back ground Radiations:
Radiations coming from surrounding environment
Source of Back ground radiations:

Sun
Earth Crust
Nuclear waste

Background Count Rate:

Count Rate due to back ground radiations i.e. without any sources exposed to GM
tube.

Background count rate is always there it can never be eliminated.

A certain radioactive substance when exposed to GM tube, the count rate recorded on GM tube is
900 counts/hours given that background count rate is 100 counts/hour. If half life of the elements
is 10 days. Calculate
a) Count rate of the element after 2 months
b) Count rate recorded by GM tube after 2 months
Total Period
=n
1 half life
60
=n
10
n=6
n

Remaining count rate =

1
x original count rate
2

()

1
x 800
2

()

( 641 ) x 800

= 12.5
(b) element = 12.5
Count rate = 100 + 12.5
= 112.5 count/hr

Activity of a certain element falls to one sixteenth of its initial value in 2 years. Calculate the half
life of the element.

1
1 n
x=
x
16
2

()

1 4 1
=
2
2

() ()

n=4
Radioactive Isotopes:
Atoms of the same element having same number of protons but different number of
neutrons
Same charge number, different mass no.
1) Uses of Radioactive Isotopes:

Industrial Use:

To check the thickness of metal sheets (thin)

To ensure quantity of liquids in packs

To detect leakages and cracks in pipes etc.

FIG

FIG

FIG
The water contaminated with radioactive is passed through the pipe and GM tube is
moved all around the pipe, variations are observed.
Count rate increase
leakage ,
count rate shoots
crack

2) Carbon Dating:
Archeologists use C-14 isotope of carbon which is an essential part of every
living matter for a living body, the amount of C-14 almost remains constant, whereas
after the death of the living matter C-14 starts decaying.

3) Agriculture and medical use:

GM tube
if radiations
detected then not affected
used to check
nutrition and fertilizer use

Water + radioactive
Gamma, long half life

MEDICINE:
Is contaminate with RA isotope, GM is moved against targeted area, detection in
count rate indicates that medicine is reaching the target area hence on behalf of relief to the
patient quality can be improved.