Ionizing Radiation (Radioactivity) Flashcards
What is radioactivity?
It is the spontaneous disintegration of nuclei with simultaneous emission of alpha, beta and gamma rays.
What are alpha rays?
Alpha particles, (alpha rays/alpha radiation), consists of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium-4 nucleus.
4/2He
What is the equation used for alpha rays?
A/Z X –> (A-4)/(Z-2) Y + 4/2 He
What is the charge of alpha rays?
Alpha rays are POSITIVELY charged.
What are beta rays?
A beta particle, (beta ray/beta radiation) (symbol β), is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted by the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus during the process of beta decay.
What is the equation used for beta rays? for electons? for positrons?
A/Z X –> (A)/(Z+1) Y + e^- + v
A/Z X –> (A)/(Z-1) Y + e^+ + v
What are the two possible forms of beta decay?
β− decay (produce electrons)
β+ decay (produce positrons)
What are gamma rays?
- very short electromagnetic waves
- formed due to an energy change within the atomic nucleus
What do gamma emissions change? atomic number, or atomic mass?
neither!
What is the equation used for gamma rays?
80/m Br –> 80/m Br + y
What is ionising radiation?
the radiation that carries enough energy to ionise the atoms or molecules.
What is a half-life?
a measure of the tendency of the nucleus to “decay” and the time required for a quantity to reduce to half of its initial value.
What is the equation used to calculate a species half life?
T = ln2/ℷ
ℷ- radioactive decay constant = average life time
What is “activity” in physics?
the rate of decay per second
What is the equation for calculating the Activity (A) of an isotope?
A = ln2 * N / T
