RADIOACTIVITY – WHAT IS IT?

When an unstable nucleus decays, there are three ways that it can do so. It may give out:-

• an alpha particle (we use the symbol )

• a beta particle (symbol )
• a gamma ray (symbol )
 RADIOACTIVITY – ALPHA PARTICLES
• Alpha particles are made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
• This means that they have a charge of +2, and a mass of 4
(the mass is measured in "atomic mass units", where each proton & neutron=1)

We can write them as , or, because they're the same as a helium nucleus, .
• Alpha particles are relatively slow and heavy.
• They have a low penetrating power - you can stop them with just a sheet of paper.
• Because they have a large charge, alpha particles ionize (pull electrons from) other atoms
strongly.
 RADIOACTIVITY – BETA PARTICLES
• Beta particles have a charge of minus 1, and a mass of about 1/2000th of a proton. This means that beta
particles are the same as an electron.

We can write them as or, because they're the same as an electron, , written in isotope
notation as
• They are fast, and light.
• Beta particles have a medium penetrating power - they are stopped by a sheet of aluminum or
plastics.
• Beta particles ionize atoms that they pass, but not as strongly as alpha particles do.
 RADIOACTIVITY – GAMMA WAVES
• Gamma rays are waves, not particles.

This means that they have no mass and no charge. So we sometimes write .
• Gamma rays have a high penetrating power - it takes a thick sheet of metal such as lead, or concrete
to reduce them significantly.
• Gamma rays do not directly ionize other atoms, although they may cause atoms to emit other particles
which will then cause ionization.
• We don't find pure gamma sources - gamma rays are emitted alongside alpha or beta particles. Strictly
speaking, gamma emission isn't 'radioactive decay' because it doesn't change the state of the nucleus. It
just carries away some energy.
 Alpha Decay Beta Decay

Occurs in nuclei with Z > 83. Occurs in nuclei with a

high neutron:proton ratio.

The loss of two protons and two A neutron is converted into a

neutrons moves the atom down proton inducing
and to the left toward the belt of a shift down and to the right
stable nuclei. on the stability plot.
 Positron Decay
Occurs in nuclei with a low
neutron to proton ratio.
A proton decays into a neutron and
an electron inducing a shift up and
to the left in the nuclear stability plot.
Electron Capture
Decay
Electron capture is common in
heavier elements that have a low
neutron to proton ratio.
Gamma-ray Decay
Gamma-ray decay generally
accompanies another radioactive
decay process because it carries
off any excess energy within the
nucleus resulting from the
radioactive decay.
 Examples
214
82 Pb →214
83 Bi + ..... 0
−1 e
214
83 Bi → Po + ..... e
214
84
0
−1

Po →210
82 Pb + .....
214 4
84
He
2