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Nuclei contain protons and neutrons; some combinations of these •Alpha rays α: positive charge
particles are unstable
•Beta rays β: negative charge
Examples of Radioactive Nuclei Include:
•Gamma rays γ: no charge
•Uranium, Plutonium
α and β rays consist of streams of particles
•Hydrogen-3
•Potassium-38 γ rays consist of electromagnetic radiation
α particle: γ Ray:
•travel only short distances Daughter Nuclei: New nuclei that result from unstable
nuclei undergoing radioactive decay
β particle:
Example: Uranium-238 gives up an α particle, resulting in a
•electrons produced in the nucleus, then emitted daughter nucleus of a different element, Thorium (Th)
1
In a balanced nuclear equation, the sum of the
mass numbers and the sum of the atomic
numbers for the nuclei of the reactant and the
products must be equal.
Mass number: 222 – 4 = 218 The mass number of the new nucleus remains the
same
Atomic number: 86 – 2 = 84
The atomic number of the new nucleus increases by
Symbol of element 84 = Po 1
222Rn 218Po + 4He 1n 0e + 1H
86 84 2 0 -1 1
Atomic number: 19 + 1 = 20
Symbol of element 20 = Ca
42K 42Ca + 0e
19 20 -1
2
Learning Check Solution
Write the nuclear equation for the Write the nuclear equation for the beta
beta decay of Co-60. decay of Co-60.
99mTc 99Tc + γ
43 43
Some radioactive isotopes are more stable than others, and therefore Radioactive Decay Over Time
decay more slowly
3
Half-Lives Vary Dramatically Between Elements
Half-Life Calculations
40 mg x 1 x 1 = 10 mg
2 2
Initial
40 mg
1 half-life 2 half-lives
20 mg
10 mg
Uses of Radioisotopes
Radiation and Health
•Medical: diagnosing and disease (cancer, thyroid, brain scans)
Free Radicals: Very reactive compounds that can cause
mutations, cancer; usually caused by long-term exposure to low-
level radiation
4
Imaging Techniques Using Radioisotopes
•Health/Agriculture: food irradiation
PET Scans (Positron Emission Tomography):
gamma rays create a 3D image of organs, used to
•Radioactive dating: determine age of fossils
analyze blood flow, metabolic activity and brain function
5
Nuclear Fission: Process in which large nuclei split Chain Reaction: Nuclear reaction in which the
into smaller nuclei when bombarded with neutrons, products of a reaction cause that reaction to occur
releasing large amounts of energy repeatedly