Radioactive Decay

Radioactivity vs. chemical reactions CHEMICAL REACTIONS make new substances by rearranging atoms and forming bonds. The atoms do not change in the process. NUCLEAR REACTIONS instead involve a change in the nucleus and changes the atom…forming a different element.

What is Radioactivity? By late 1890s scientists noticed some substances spontaneously emitted radiation and called it RADIOACTIVITY. The particles emitted were called RADIATION where atoms change their identity in the process. Radioactivity happens because of unstable nuclei break down to more stable forms. This process is called RADIOACTIVE DECAY.

TYPES OF RADIATION? 1) ALPHA: Each alpha particle emits 2 protons and 2 neutrons. What element is this equivalent to??? If Radium (Ra) -226 which has an atomic number of 88 and undergoes a decay of an alpha particle, how many protons will the new element have? What element will it turn into? What will the resulting mass be?

BETA RADIATION: Radiation that consists of fast moving negative particles called BETA PARTICLES. MASS OF THE ELEMENT DOES NOT CHANGE. THE ATOMIC NUMBER INCREASES BY 1. IF Carbon 14 has an atomic number of 6, and a beta particle was released… - WHAT WOULD THE RESULTING ELEMENT BE?

Gamma Radiation High energy radiation that has no mass and no electric charge

COOL NUCLEAR SITES http://people.chem.duke.edu/~jds/cruise_chem/nuclear/nuclear.htm Where would you like to go to learn more??? Radioactivity : The Pros and Cons Everyday Exposure to Radiation Modern Uses of Radioactive Isotopes Detection of Radiation and your Protection The Discovery of Radioactivity Nuclear Stability and Radioactive Decay Other Radioisotopes Found in Everyday Life Shedding Light on Some Common Misconceptions and Fears Social, Economic, and Political Concerns