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RADIO ACTIVITY

Arafa Seby | Mr.Mburu | AKHS

What is Radio Activity?


Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896.

NUCLEAR RADIATION
Everything is made of Atoms, of which consists a nucleus, electrons,
and an equal amount of protons as electrons. This is so they could
cancel each other out and a neutral charge.
If the equality of the protons and neutrons are not met then the Atom
becomes unstable and unbalanced. In this case the Atoms nucleus
disintegrates and while doing so it emits energy in the form of
radiation.
The radiated energy is known as Nuclear Radiation ,the materials that
emit nuclear radiation are known as Radioactive objects, whilst the
disintegration of the nucleus is called Radioactive decay.

Process
Radioactivity comes from the nucleus of the atom.
If the nucleus has too many neutrons, or is
unstable for any other reason, it disintegrates and
this is what is called a radioactive decay.
Decay symbolizes the breaking down of the atoms. As
they breakdown they radiate energy thus causing a
nuclear radiation. Materials that emit these
radiation are known as radioactive materials.

DECAY OF PARTICLES
There are three main types of nuclear radiation.

Alpha Radiation
An alpha () particle is composed of two
protons and two neutrons, thus its atomic
mass is 4 and its atomic number is 2.

Beta Radiation
There are two types of beta () particles.
They are either electrons or positrons
(antimatter of electron) Their atomic mass
is 0 and their atomic number is 1.
e
+v
-v
e

Gamma Rays
Gamma decay is the emission of
electromagnetic radiation from an
unstable nucleus.
Gamma radiation often occurs
after a nucleus has emitted an
alpha or beta particle.

Deflection by a magnetic
field
-

+ + +
Electric field produced
by positively and
negatively charged
plates

Alpha and beta


particles are
deflected in opposite
directions due to
their opposite
charges.
Due to their much
larger mass alpha
particles are
deflected far less
than beta.

Gamma rays are not


deflected because
they are not
charged.

Nuclear Reactors
Nuclear reactors act with a controlled chain
reaction. Reactors are used for generating
electricity, moving aircraft carriers and
submarines, producing medical isotopes for
imaging and cancer treatment.
There are many different kinds of nuclear
fuel forms and cooling materials can be used
in a
nuclear reactor. As a result,
there are thousands of different possible
nuclear reactor designs.

Containment Structure
Pressurizer

Generator

Control
pods

Reactor
Vessel

Condenser

The image above (reproduced from the NRC) shows a nuclear reactor
heating up water and spinning a generator to produce electricity.
It captures the essence of the system well. The water coming into
the condenser and then going right back out would be water from a
river, lake, or ocean. It goes out the cooling towers. As you can
see, this water does not go near the radioactivity, which is in
the reactor vessel.

Threats of Radioactivity
Radiation collides with molecules in living cells it can
damage them. If the DNA in the nucleus of a cell is
damaged, the cell may become cancerous causing many
health issues.

If the radioactive source is inside the body, perhaps


after being swallowed or breathed in Alpha radiation is
the most dangerous because it is easily absorbed by
cells.

Threats of Radioactivity
Beta and gamma radiation are not as dangerous because they are
less likely to be absorbed by a cell and will usually just
pass right through it.
If the radioactive source is outside the body:Alpha radiation
is not as dangerous because it is unlikely to reach living
cells inside the body.
Beta and gamma radiation are the most dangerous
sources because they can penetrate the skin and damage the
cells inside.

Acknowledgements
I express a deep sense of gratitude to all
my Family members and friends who have
assisted me with this project.
A special note of thanks to all my
previous and current physics teachers.

Works Cited
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/z996fg8/revision/4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway_pre_2011/living_fut
ure/3_fuels_for_power3.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa_pre_2011/radiation/radioact
iverev6.shtml

BBC BITESIZE PHYSICS


http://www.gcsescience.com/prad1-physics-radioactivity-decay-nucleus.htm

GCSE PHYSICS
http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/radiation-an
d-health/nuclear-radiation-and-health-effects.aspx

WORLD NUCLEAR SOCIETY


COMPLETE PHYSICS FOR CAMBRIDGE IGCSE

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