Radiation

Easy as ABCin greek

Review

What do the numbers represent in each of

the following examples?

A)

238
92

B) Uranium-238
C) Ca 40.08

20

Define the term isotopes.

Types of Radiation

There are three types of radiation.

Alpha particles
Beta particles
Gamma rays

Radiation is emitted from the Nucleus of the

atom.

Alpha Particles
During alpha decay, a nucleus ejects an alpha
particle, which is a cluster of two protons and two
neutrons. The alpha particle is given the symbol .
Alpha decay is caused when there are too many
protons in the nucleus, emitting positively charged
particles.
Alpha decay only occurs in atoms with very heavy
nucleithis is usually where the mass number
(protons plus neutrons) is greater than 100. For
example, the radioisotope uranium-238.

Alpha Particles

Beta Particles
Beta particles are identical to electrons and therefore have
a negative charge.
Beta decay occurs when the nucleus ejects a beta particle,
which is given the symbol .

When the nucleus undergoes beta decay, a neutron is

converted into a proton.

This increases the atomic number by one, meaning a new

element is formed. However, the mass number does not change
because the total number of protons and neutrons stays the
same.

Beta Particles

Gamma Ray

Sometimes there is too much energy is in

the nucleus
Protons and neutrons simply rearrange
inside the nucleus but do not emit a particle.
Instead they emit a form of electromagnetic
wave known as gamma rays.
This process is known as gamma decay.
Gamma rays are given the symbol .
They are like X-rays but are more
powerful.

Radioactive Decay

Radioisotopes

Most of the atoms that make up the world around

you contain stable nuclei.
However, a tiny fraction of atoms have unstable
nuclei. These unstable atoms could eject particles
or electromagnetic waves from their nucleus at
any moment and undergo nuclear decay.
Each type of atom may have several isotopes but
only some isotopes are radioactive, called
radioisotopes.

Transmutation
During nuclear decay, atoms may change
from one element to another which is
known as transmutation.
Transmutation never occurs during
everyday chemical reactions such as those
that happen when you breathe, bake a cake
or burn paper.
It only occurs during nuclear decay (when
the nucleus gives off radiation).

Transmutation

Nuclear Equations
We can write equations to describe the
nuclear reaction process.
These equations must include the type of
radioactive decay alpha, beta or gamma
particles.
We also write the mass and atomic number
for each element in the equations.

Eg:

U238 Th234 + He4

92

90

You should see that the mass numbers and atomic

numbers are equal.
If you know the atom you started with, and the atoms you
end up with, we can back-track and work out the type of
decay.

Questions
The atomic number of uranium (U) is 92.
The atomic number of thorium (Th) is 90.
Uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay to
form thorium-234 and an alpha particle.
A) Clarify what the number 238 tells us
about the uranium-238 atom.
B) Describe the composition of an alpha
particle.
C) Determine the nuclear equation for the
alpha decay of uranium-238.