1. Nuclear Radiation GPS:
SPS3. Students will distinguish the characteristics and components of radioactivity.
a. Differentiate among alpha and beta particles and gamma radiation.
b. Differentiate between fission and fusion.
c. Explain the process half-life as related to radioactive decay.
d. Describe nuclear energy, its practical application as an alternative energy source, and its potential problems

2. Nuclear Radiation 3 Types: Alpha Decay (Radiation)
Beta Decay (Radiation)
Gamma Radiation

3. matter or energy given off by an unstable nucleus
Radioactivity
matter or energy given off by an unstable nucleus + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
energy

4. Alpha Decay
Gives off 2 protons and 2 neutrons (like a Helium-4 atom) (alpha particle)
Weak penetration; can be stopped by a piece of paper
Can protect yourself with clothing; must swallow it to be harmful
Some alpha emitters: radium, radon, uranium, thorium
Usually from elements with high # protons

5. Alpha decay In alpha decay, the STRONG force is unable to
hold the protons in the nucleus well so particles are given
off to stabilize the nucleus.

6. Alpha particles made of two protons and two neutrons He 4 symbol: 2+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 4 + + + +
symbol: + He + + 2 + + + + + +
mass = 4
charge = +2

7. Transmutation
changing one element into another through nuclear decay + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
210 Po
206 Pb 4 He 2 84 82
Polonium-210
decays to
lead-206
and one alpha particle

8. Alpha decay

9. Useful alpha particles
smoke detector

10. Beta Decay Gives off an electron (beta particle)
A neutron is changed to a proton
Cannot penetrate a piece of aluminum foil
Clothing provides some protection
Some beta emitters: carbon-14, strontium-90 and sulfur-35
Usually from radioactive isotopes where # neutrons are different from # protons

11. I Xe e- Beta Particles 131 131 53 54 -1 a neutron decays into a proton
one electron is emitted + + + + + + + + + e- + + + + +
131 I
131 Xe e- 53 54 -1

12. Beta Decay

13. Beta Decay

14. Gamma Radiation Is a type of electromagnetic wave, not a particle
High energy electromagnetic waves
Very penetrating, need several inches of lead to stop radiation
Can penetrate human tissue and thick layers of clothing
Examples of gamma emitters: radium-226, cesium-137, uranium-235

15. Penetration of Radiation Types

16. Penetration of Radiation Types

17. Why does Nuclear Radiation occur?
The nucleus is unstable and it is giving off energy or particles to become stable
So it goes through a SERIES of radioactive decay until it becomes an element that is no longer unstable (radioactive) (like Lead!!)
Strong force the force that holds protons in the nucleus together (because they usually repel each other)

18. Decay Series

19. Radioactive Half-Life

20. List of Radioactive Half-Lives
Beryllium ,700,000 years       Calcium ,000 years       Cesium years       Cesium ,000,000 years       Rubidium ,000,000,000 years       Palladium ,000,000 years       iodine ,200,000 years       plutonium ,390 years       strontium days       strontium years       tin ,000 years       uranium ,000,000 years       uranium ,510,000,000 years
Carbon-14………… years

21. Sources of Nuclear Radiation
Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion give off all three types of radiation.
When mass is “lost”, energy is produced
“Lost” mass is converted to energy

22. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
Explains energy-mass transformation:
E = mc2
E stands for energy.
m stands for mass.
c stands for the speed of light (the speed of light is (300 million m/sec)

23. Nuclear Fission
Splitting the nucleus of an atom

24. Nuclear Fusion
when two nuclei combine to form one nuclei

25. Nuclear Power
Nuclear Power plants use NUCLEAR FISSION to produce electricity to power our homes/cities.

26. Controlled Chain Reactions
Fuel rods contain Uranium-235 which
is the fissionable material. (Above)
Control rods are plunged into reactor
to absorb neutrons if reactor temp
gets too hot 

27. Nuclear Power Plant Energy Conversion
_________________ energy (nucleus splits/fission) is converted to ____________ energy (causing steam) which is converted to ________________ energy (steam turns turbine) which produces ______________ energy.

28. Benefits to Using Nuclear Energy vs. Fossil Fuels
Produces more energy
No greenhouse gases / air pollution

29. Potential Negative Effects of Nuclear Energy
Nuclear wastes must be stored in special ways for long periods of time
The cooling of the nuclear core results in thermal (heat) pollution of water such as rivers
Nuclear power plants have potential to fail causing dangerous radioactive leaks

30. Nuclear Bombs Uncontrolled Chain Reactions
Fission Bomb  Atomic Bomb (A-bomb)
Fusion Bomb  Hydrogen Bomb (H-bomb)
Fusion bomb more powerful than fission bomb, actually takes a FISSION reaction to start fusion reaction.
The U.S. has never dropped an H-bomb, they dropped an Atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 (WWII)

31. Bombs dropped in Japan
Same picture, shows size
of each better 

32. Pictures of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Hiroshima burn
victim
Nagasaki
At ground
level
DURING
bombing 
Hiroshima after
bombing

33. Pictures of Bomb Explosions
H- Bomb
A-Bomb

34. Radiation Detectors Cloud chamber (Wilson chamber) Bubble chamber
Geiger-Muller Counter 

35. Any Questions? The Manhattan Project!!
Oh, who knows?
What is the name of the project that developed the first nuclear bomb?
The Manhattan Project!!
That is all ye need to know about radiation!!