1. Nuclear Chem Notes
Nuclear Chemistry: Study of nucleus in further detail.
Radioactivity: process by which nuclei give off particles and rays.
Radiation: rays and particles given off by the nuclei (radioactive source)
Radioisotope: unstable isotopes of elements

2. What happens? Unstable nuclei want to be stable
They undergo major changes to become stable
As they undergo these changes, they emit radiation.

3. Types of Radioactive Decay
Type of Decay
Symbol
Particle (y or n)
Relative Size&speed
Stopped by
Atomic Symbol
Example
Alpha
(ionizing)
Beta
(neg.)
(pos.)
-positron-
Gamma
Large
&slow
yes
21084 Po  Pb + 42 He 
Paper
42 He
0-1 e
146 C  147 N e -
yes
med.
Wood
0+1 e
3919 K  3918 Ar e +
yes
med.
Al foil
00 
With  or  No
(energy)
Small
& fast
Lead Shield 
23892U23490Th+42He+00 

5. Half-Life
Time required for one-half the nuclei of a radioisotope sample to decay to products.
What does that mean? After every half-life, half of a sample will remain and half will have changed into a more stable isotope.

6. Half-Life for C-14