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Radioactivity 2023
Radioactivity 2023
Radioactivity 2023
ISOTOPES
The atoms of the same element, having same atomic number
Z, but different mass number A, are called isotopes.
The atoms of isotopes have the same number of protons (Z),
but different number of neutrons (A-Z) in their nucleus. Since
they have the same number of electrons outside the nucleus,
so their chemical properties are also same.
Three isotopes of Hydrogen.H11, H12,H13 The
isotopes are of two kinds:
(1) Stable isotopes: Have the number of neutrons nearly equal
to the number of protons in their nucleus.
(2) Unstable/ Radioactive isotopes: Have number of neutrons
much more than the number of protons in their nucleus. These
undergo radioactive decay and are of great medical and
industrial use. Ex U23592 has 143 neutrons, 238U92 has 146
neutrons.
ISOBARS
The atoms of different elements which have the same mass
number A, but different atomic number Z are called isobars.
The atoms of isobars have the same number of nucleons (A) in
their nucleus, but different number of protons (Z) and
different number of neutrons (A - Z). The number of electrons
outside the nucleus is always equal to the number of protons,
so isobars have different number of electrons.
Ex: 23Na11 and 23Mg12
Radioactivity
The substances which disintegrate by the
spontaneous emission of radiations are
called the radioactive substances. Example
Uranium, Radium, Polonium, Thorium etc.
Any physical or chemical change does not
change nature of the radiation emitted by
the substance and its rate of decay.
Radioactivity is a nuclear phenomenon. It is the process of
spontaneous emission of a or B and y. radiations from the
nucleus of atoms during their decay.
Radioactivity as Emission of Alpha (a), the nature of Beta (ß)
and y (Gamma radiations)
In 1903, Rutherford studied the
nature of radiations emitted by a
radioactive substance. When these
radiations are subjected to a
magnetic field perpendicular to
plane of paper, they separate into
three distinct constituents. Some turn to left, are positively
charged a-particles.
Some turn to right are negatively charged, ß particles.
ßparticles are deviated more than the a-particles. Some
particles which passes undeviated are neutral called gamma
(y-radiations).
In the same way, if radiations
are subjected to an electric
field, particles which run
towards negative plate are
aparticles. The particles
which turn towards positive
plate are ß-particles. Those
which pass undeviated are
the unchanged gamma (y)
radiations.
Here, also, ß-particles are deviated more than a-particles.
PROPERTIES OF ALPHA PARTICLES
Some properties of alpha particles are given below.
(1) An alpha particle consists of two protons and two
neutrons. It is same as a doubly ionised helium atom, i.e., a
helium nucleus containing two protons and two neutrons.
(2) The speed of a-particles is of the order of 10⁷ m/s. It is
different for a-particles emitted from the different radioactive
substances. Further, all the a-particles emitted from the
nucleus of the same radioactive substance do not have the
same energy (or speed), but they have energy distributed in a
small range.
(3) An alpha particle strongly ionises the gas through which it
passes. The ionising power of a-particles is roughly 100 times
that of B-particles and roughly (10,000) times that of
yradiations.
(4) An a-particle rapidly dissipates its energy as it moves
through a medium and therefore its penetrating power is
quite small. It can penetrate only through 3 to 8 cm in air. It
can easily be stopped by a thin card sheet or a thick paper. Its
penetrating power is roughly (1/100) times that of a B-particle
and (1/10,000) times that of y radiation.
(5) Alpha particles are positively charged, so they are
deflected by the electric and magnetic fields. The deflection of
a-particle is less as compared to that of B-particle, because
aparticle is of more mass than the B-particle. a-particles affect
a photographic plate.
(6) Alpha particles destroy the living cells and also cause
biological damage.
(7) a-particles get scattered while passing through the thin
mica (or gold) foils.
Ex:
USES OF RDIOACTIVITY -
RADIOSTOPES
The isotopes of some elements
with atomic number Z < 82 are
also found to be radioactive.
They are called radio isotope.
When the number of neutrons in
the nucleus exceeds the number
of protons in an atom it becomes radioactive.
Medical Uses
Gamma radiations obtained
from 27 Co60 are used to treat
cancer patients by killing
malignant tumour cells of the
patient.
Salts of weak radioactive
isotopes such as radio-sodium
chloride, are called Tracers. They are used to detect the
suspected brain tumours.
Radioactive sodium chloride, is also used to study
blood circulation. This process is called Radio
cardiology. y-rays emitted by radioactive substances
are used to
sterilize medical equipment’s.
Scientific Uses
The alpha particles emitted from radioisotopes (nucleus)
help to estimate the size of nucleus and understand the
nature of nuclear forces.
The radioactive traces are used in agricultural science to
study the growth of plants by using a particular manure.
Radioactivity is used to estimate age of ancient rocks,
dead plants/etc. by studying rate of decay of carbon-14
(14C6) in them.
This process is called Carbon
Dating.
Industrial Uses
(1) Radio isotopes like 295 92U are
used as fuel for the atomic energy
reactors.
(2) Radio isotopes are used in factories to avoid accumulation
of charge on the moving parts of machines due to friction.
(3) Ionising effect of radiations is used for making
luminescent signs.
(4) By knowing the penetrating power of the ß-radiations, they
can be used to control the thickness of paper plastic and
metal sheets during their
manufacture.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
In a radioactive
phenomenon, there is a
nuclear change. In this
process, the total sum of
masses of product of
nuclei is always less than
the total sum of masses
of reactant nuclei. Thus,
there is a loss in mass. On the basis of theorem of relativity,
Eistein suggested that mass and energy are interchangeable.
Due to loss in mass ∆m, the energy released is E where,
E = (∆m)c²
Here ∆m is the loss in mass C is speed of light and E is energy in
joules when 1 kg mass is lost the amount of energy released
is
E = (∆m)c²