Nuclear Radiation Physics P1

Why do some unstable atomic nuclei (nucleus) give out radiation?

• Some atomic nuclei (nucleus) are unstable and give out radiation inorder to become more stable.

• They give out more radiation to increase their size.

• They give out radiation to form new compounds

• They give out radiation to form new molecule

The activity of the radioactive source is the rate at which it decays.

What is this decay measured in?

• Watts (power)

• Joules (energy)

• Newtons (Force)

• Becquerels (Bq)

One becquerel is equivalent to one decay per second.

1Bq = 1 decay per second.

Name the equiptment which is used to measure the radioactive decay.

• Geiger Muller Tube

• X-rays ( X-rays can penetrate through body tissues with very little absorption. This makes them ideal for internal imaging. X-rays are absorbed by dense structures like bones, which is why X-ray photos are used to help identify broken bones. )

• Ultraviolet Radiation (Ultraviolet waves can cause damage to skin cells and eyes, and increase the risk of skin cancer)

Name the three types of nuclear?

• Gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, light - electromagnetic waves

• Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation

The three types of radiation are Alpha, Beta and Gamma.

They are all ionising. What does ionising mean?

• Ionising means they are capable of knocking electrons from atoms.

  Alpha is the most ionising and gamma is the least ionising.

• Ionising is when it causes sparks.

Alpha particle are made from two neutrons and two protons. They are the largest in size of the radiation.

When alpha decay takes place, the atom loses two neutrons and 2 protons.

Alpha is the least penetrating of the radiation. What can stop alpha radiation?

• Alpha radiation is absorbed by few centimetres of air or a thin sheet of paper.

• Alpha particle can penetrate through a sheet of lead

Beta radiation is a high speed electron. This high speed electron is produced from a neutron converting to a proton.

What happens to the atomic number of the atom when it ejects alpha radiation?

• In beta radiation the number of protons in an atom goes up by 1. This changes the atomic number by 1.

• The atomic numbver stays the same

Gamma radiation is the release of electromagnetic wave from the nucleus.

Do you get any change in the nucleus of an atom when gmma rays are emitted?

• No change in the nucleus. The atomic number and the mass number stays the same.

• It loses neutrons and protons.

What is radioactive contamination?

• Radioactive contamination is the unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials

• Radoactive contamination is where unstable atoms are kept safe.

What is irradiation?

• Irradiation is the process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation.

• Irradiation is the removal of radioactive source from an area