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LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Core Supplement
• State the meaning of radioactive
decay • Use equations involving nuclide notation
• State that during α- or β-decay the to represent changes in the composition
nucleus changes to that of a different of the nucleus when particles are
emitted
element
• Use the term half-life in simple • Calculate half-life from data or decay
calculations, which might involve curves from which background radiation
information in tables or decay has not been subtracted
curves
10 Days
Radioactive decay
Radioactive decay is a random event –
Some types of The unstable nuclei in some materials
nucleus are more will break up, or disintegrate. It is
unstable than others impossible to predict exactly which
and decay at a faster nuclei will decay. This disintegration
rate. of the nuclei is called radioactive
decay.
10 Days 10 Days
Radioactive decay
Radioactive decay is a random event –
Some types of The unstable nuclei in some materials
nucleus are more will break up, or disintegrate. It is
unstable than others impossible to predict exactly which
and decay at a faster nuclei will decay. This disintegration
rate. of the nuclei is called radioactive
decay.
10 Days 10 Days
10 Days 10 Days
Nuclei
Days Half-life
remaining
0 64 0
10 32 1
20 16 2
30 8 3
40 4 4
50 2 5
Radioactive decay
Measurements taken with Radioactive decay is a random event –
70
x a GM tube. Don’t forget The unstable nuclei in some materials
60 that you might need to will break up, or disintegrate. It is
subtract figures for impossible to predict exactly which
50 background radiation! nuclei will decay. This disintegration
of the nuclei is called radioactive
Nuclei remaining
40
Radioactive decay decay.
curve
x Nuclei
30 Days Half-life
remaining
20 0 64 0
x
10 32 1
10 x
x 20 16 2
x
0 30 8 3
0 10 20 30 40 50
40 4 4
Days
50 2 5
Radioactive decay
Measurements taken with Radioactive decay is a random event –
70
x a GM tube. Don’t forget The unstable nuclei in some materials
60 that you might need to will break up, or disintegrate. It is
subtract figures for impossible to predict exactly which
50 background radiation! nuclei will decay. This disintegration
of the nuclei is called radioactive
Nuclei remaining
40
Radioactive decay decay.
curve
x Radioactive
30 Half-life
isotope
Radon-220 52 secs
20
x Iodine-128 25 mins
10 x Radon-222 3.8 days
x
x Strontium-90 28 years
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 Radium-226 1602 years
Days Carbon-14 5730 years
Plutonium-239 24 400 years
Radioactive decay
In the early hours of 26 April 1986 Radioactive decay is a random event –
one of the four reactors at The unstable nuclei in some materials
Chernobyl power station exploded. will break up, or disintegrate. It is
impossible to predict exactly which
nuclei will decay. This disintegration
of the nuclei is called radioactive
decay.
Radioactive
Half-life
isotope
Radon-220 52 secs
Iodine-128 25 mins
Radon-222 3.8 days
600
25
16
150
• Calculate half-life from data or decay
curves from which background Radioactive decay
radiation has not been subtracted
Alpha radiation
cannot penetrate
through skin, so α β
outside the body
beta and gamma
radiation are the
most dangerous – γ
but both of these
are less ionising
than alpha and so
cause less
damage.
Ionising Radiation and Living Things
Alpha radiation
α However, if alpha
cannot penetrate particles get
through skin, so inside the body
outside the body (ingested,
beta and gamma breathed-in) then
radiation are the they can do much
most dangerous – more damage in a
but both of these very localised
are less ionising area because they
than alpha and so are so strongly
cause less ionising.
damage.
Ionising Radiation and Safety
Ionising Radiation and Safety
In industry
• Full protective suits prevent inhalation of radioactive
dust particles and direct skin contact
• Use lead-lined suits, lead/concrete barriers, thick lead
windows to prevent exposure to gamma radiation.
• Use of remotely controlled robot arms in highly
radioactive areas.
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Core Supplement
• State the meaning of radioactive
decay • Use equations involving nuclide notation
• State that during α- or β-decay the to represent changes in the composition
nucleus changes to that of a different of the nucleus when particles are
emitted
element
• Use the term half-life in simple • Calculate half-life from data or decay
calculations, which might involve curves from which background radiation
information in tables or decay has not been subtracted
curves