CHAPTER 6 NUCLEAR ENERGY

6.1 Understanding Radioactive Substances

6.2 Understanding the Production of Nuclear Energy
and its Uses
6.3 Awareness of the Need for Proper Handling of
Radioactive Substances
 6.1 Understanding Radioactive Substances

Radioactive Substances
1. Radioactive substances are elements with unstable nuclei which
undergo spontaneous decay to become more stable elements while
emitting dangerous and invisible radioactive radiation.
2. Figure 6.1 shows the symbol used to warn the public about the
presence of radioactive substances.
3. Figure 6.2 shows some examples of the common radioactive substances.

Radioactive Decay
1. Radioactive decay is the process of unstable nucleus changing to a more stable
nucleus while emitting radiation.
2. The nucleus before decay is called the parent nuclide and the product of decay is the
daughter nuclide.

Radioactive Radiation
1. There are 3 types of radioactive radiation
Alpha particle, Beta particle and Gamma radiation
2. Geiger-Muller tube (GM tube) is use as a detector to trace the presence of radioactive
radiation.
Similarities of the Three Radiations

They are radioactive radiation.

They have penetrating and ionising powers.

They are invisible radiation.

 They are dangerous if not handled with care.

Differences of the Three Radiations

Radioactive Alpha particles, Beta particles, Gamma rays
emissions
Nature Positively charged , Negatively charged, Neutral
helium nucleus He Electron electromagnetic ray

Charge +2 electric charges -1 electric charge 0

Speed 10% the speed of light,

3 % - 99 % of the Speed of light
c speed of light , c
In an Bends to negative plate
Bends to positive plate Does not bend ,
electric field with larger angle of showing that it is
deflection due to lighter neutral
mass of electron
In magnetic Bends a little showing Bend a lot showing that Does not bend
field that it has a big mass. it has a small mass. showing that it is
Direction of the bend Direction of the bend neutral.
indicates that it is indicates that it is
positively charges negatively charged
Ionising The 3 types of radiation are highly energetic and use their energy to
power remove electrons from the air molecules when they pass through air.
The ionization of an atom produces positive ion and negative ion
(electron)
Strongest Intermediate Weakest
Penetrating Radiation which has a stronger ionizing power will have a lower
power penetrating effect.
The radiation emission loses some of its energy each time an ion pair is
produced.
Low Intermediate High
Stopped by A thin sheet of paper A few millimeters of A few centimeters of
aluminium lead or concrete
Range in air A few centimetres A few metres A few hundred metres