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Understanding Radioactive Decay and Radiation

Radiation consists of high energy particles or waves emitted from unstable atom nuclei. There are three main types of radiation: alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Radiation is emitted randomly from nuclei. Alpha particles are made of two protons and two neutrons. Beta particles are high energy electrons. Gamma rays are high energy electromagnetic waves. Radiation can ionize atoms by knocking out electrons when it passes close by. The different types of radiation have varying properties in terms of their range, penetration, and ability to ionize. Radiation detectors work by detecting ions or chemical changes produced by radiation.

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10 views6 pages

Understanding Radioactive Decay and Radiation

Radiation consists of high energy particles or waves emitted from unstable atom nuclei. There are three main types of radiation: alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Radiation is emitted randomly from nuclei. Alpha particles are made of two protons and two neutrons. Beta particles are high energy electrons. Gamma rays are high energy electromagnetic waves. Radiation can ionize atoms by knocking out electrons when it passes close by. The different types of radiation have varying properties in terms of their range, penetration, and ability to ionize. Radiation detectors work by detecting ions or chemical changes produced by radiation.

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8.

9 RADIOACTIVITY:

The Nature of Decay

• Radiation consists of high energy particles (or waves) emitted from the nucleus of an
unstable atom

Unstable nuclei decay by emitting high energy particles – radiation

• There are three (main) types of radiation: alpha (α) particles, beta (β−) particles, or
gamma (γ) rays
• Radiation is emitted randomly
This means that, although we understand why some nuclei emit radiation, it is impossible
to predict exactly when a nucleus will emit radiation
The Properties of Radiation

• Alpha (α) particles are high energy particles made up of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (the
same as a helium nucleus).
They are usually emitted from nuclei that are too large
• Beta (β−) particles are high energy electrons emitted from the nucleus (even though the
nucleus does not normally contain any electrons)
They are usually emitted by nuclei that have too many neutrons
• Gamma (γ) rays are high energy electromagnetic waves
They are emitted by nuclei that need to lose some energy
• If these particles hit other atoms, they can knock out electrons, ionising the atom

When radiation passes close to atoms, it can knock out electrons, ionising the atom

• Ionisation can cause chemical changes in materials, and can damage or kill living cells
The nature and properties of the different types of radiation are summarised in the table below

• Note that when you go down the table, the range and penetration increase, but the
ionisation decreases
Diagram showing the penetrative abilities of alpha (α) particles, beta (β −) particles, and
gamma (γ) rays. Note how some of the gamma rays are able to penetrate the lead

Deflection in Electric & Magnetic Fields

• Because of their charges, alpha and beta particles can be deflected by electric and
magnetic fields

Alpha and Beta particles can be deflected by electric fields


• Because they have opposite charges, alpha and beta particles are deflected in opposite
directions
• Beta is deflected by more than alpha, because beta particles have a much smaller mass
• Gamma is not deflected because gamma rays have no charge

Alpha and Beta particles can also be deflected by magnetic fields.

Ionisation

• Alpha is by far the most ionising form of radiation


o Alpha particles leave a dense trail of ions behind them, affecting virtually every
atom they meet
o Because of this they quickly lose their energy and so have a short range
o Their short range makes them relatively harmless if handled carefully, but they
have the potential to be extremely dangerous if the alpha emitter enters the
body
• Beta particles are moderately ionising
o The particles create a less dense trail of ions than alpha, and consequently have
a longer range
o They tend to be more dangerous than alpha because they are able to travel
further and penetrate the skin, and yet are still ionising enough to cause
significant damage
• Gamma is the least ionising form of radiation (although it is still dangerous)
o Because Gamma rays don’t produce as many ions as alpha or beta, they are more
penetrating and have a greater range
o This can make them hazardous in large amounts
Detecting Radiation

• When radiation passes close to an atom, it knocks out electrons, ionising the atom
• Radiation detectors work by detecting the presence of these ions or the chemical
changes that they produce

A Geiger-Muller tube (or Geiger counter) is a common type of radiation detector

Background radiation is the radiation that is present all around in the environment

• Although most background radiation is natural, a small amount of it comes from


artificial sources, such as medical procedures (including X-rays)
(Radiation from Nuclear Power come to less than 0.1% of the total)
• Levels of background radiation can vary significantly from place to place

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