Radioactive Decay

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive Decay:

• Some unstable atoms try to regain stability by losing energy. They lose energy by emitting radiation.

• These elements continue to undergo radioactive decay until they are stable

Radioisotopes: Types of isotopes are capable of radioactive decay

Stable versus Unstable

• Stable: not likely to decay• Unstable: will decay eventually

• Different Isotopes have different degrees of stabilityEg. Carbon-12 = Stable Carbon-13 = Stable Carbon-14 = Unstable All three are found in the human body

Three Types of Radiation

Alpha Radiation: A stream of alpha particles

Alpha Particles: positively charged atomic particles. The largest of the three types

What is it made of: The alpha particle is made of the same particles as a helium atom (2 protons, 2 neutrons)

Equations for alpha decay

Equations where atoms lose alpha particles

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Three Types of Radiation

Beta Radiation: Caused by the flow of beta particles

Beta Particle: an electron

During Beta Decay: A neutron becomes a proton and an electron. This proton stays in the nucleus while the electron leaves

Equations for beta decay

• p

Equations for beta decay

• p

Three Types of Radiation

Gamma Radiation: Rays of high energy, short wavelength radiation. Has almost no charge and no mass.

Gamma Decay: The redistribution of energy within the nucleus.

Equations for gamma decay

Equations for gamma decay