Unit 17 Radioactive Decay
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This document discusses radioactive decay and the three main types of radiation: alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. It describes the key properties of each type of radiation, including their mass, charge, speed, and ability to penetrate matter. The document also introduces concepts like radioactive decay series, half-life, and how radioactive dating works. It concludes by noting that some elements are absent from Earth due to their very short half-lives.
Unit 17 Radioactive Decay
- 2. Unstable AtomsWhen the repulsive forces of the protons exceeds the ability of the strong nuclear force to hold them together, they are unstable.In addition, sometimes nuclei are too heavy and have too many neutrons to remain together
- 3. Three Types of RadiationAlpha Particles- 2 protons and 2 neutronsBeta Particles- electronGamma Rays- Tiny electromagnetic waves
- 4. Alpha Particles* Represented by α (alpha)* They are equivalent to the nuclei of a He atom* (+2) Charge, heavy and slow moving*Limited penetrating power, stopped by sheet of paper
- 10. Alpha Particles* Represented by α (alpha)* They are equivalent to the nuclei of a He atom* (+2) Charge, heavy and slow moving*Limited penetrating power, stopped by sheet of paperEquation Example:
- 11. Conversion From One Element to Another Through Alpha Decay
- 12. Dangers of Radon Gas
- 18. Beta ParticlesRepresented by β (beta)(-) Charge, little mass, 100x faster than alphaBasically high-speed electronsStopped by Aluminum Sheet.Changes a Neutron into a Proton
- 23. Beta Decay SeriesWhile it may seem it is cycling around, the difference is it keeps losing mass, thus it turns from Ra-228 to Ra-224
- 24. Gamma ParticlesRepresented by ɣ (gamma)Electromagnetic wave, no charge (neutral) or massGreat speed, high-energy, very dangerousHigh penetrating powerOnly lead can stop them
- 25. RadioactivityAlpha, Beta and Gamma Particles
- 27. Half-LifeHalf-life is a measure of the rate of decay of a radioactive element. It is the time it takes for half of the atoms to decay.Carbon-14 has a half life of 5730 years
- 28. Carbon-14 Dating
- 30. The lack of certain elements on Earth is related to their very short half-lives