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notes on physics radioactivity

The document provides an overview of radioactivity, detailing its discovery, types of radiation, decay processes, and half-life. It discusses nuclear fission and fusion, the effects of radiation on health, units of measurement, and various applications in medicine and industry. Additionally, it addresses safety measures, nuclear waste disposal, sources of radiation, and environmental impacts.

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1 views

notes on physics radioactivity

The document provides an overview of radioactivity, detailing its discovery, types of radiation, decay processes, and half-life. It discusses nuclear fission and fusion, the effects of radiation on health, units of measurement, and various applications in medicine and industry. Additionally, it addresses safety measures, nuclear waste disposal, sources of radiation, and environmental impacts.

Uploaded by

Amy Claudia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

Introduction to Radioactivity

 Radioactivity: The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by


emitting radiation. It was discovered by Henri Becquerel in 1896 and later studied
by Marie and Pierre Curie.
 Radioactive Decay: The spontaneous process in which an unstable atomic
nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, resulting in the formation of a more
stable nucleus.

2. Types of Radiation

There are three primary types of radiation emitted by radioactive materials:

1. Alpha (α) Radiation:


o Composed of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (a helium nucleus).
o Has low penetration power; can be stopped by a sheet of paper or skin.
o Dangerous if inhaled or ingested.
2. Beta (β) Radiation:
o Composed of high-energy electrons (or positrons).
o Higher penetration power than alpha particles but can be stopped by a
sheet of aluminum.
o Can damage living tissue if exposed.
3. Gamma (γ) Radiation:
o High-energy electromagnetic waves (photons).
o Extremely penetrating; requires thick lead or concrete shielding to block.
o Often accompanies alpha or beta decay.

3. Radioactive Decay Processes

 Alpha Decay: Occurs when an unstable nucleus releases an alpha particle (2


protons and 2 neutrons).
o Example: Uranium-238 decays into Thorium-234 and an alpha particle.
 Beta Decay: Occurs when a neutron in the nucleus turns into a proton, releasing
an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino.
o Example: Carbon-14 decays into Nitrogen-14 and a beta particle.
 Gamma Decay: Occurs when a nucleus releases excess energy in the form of
gamma radiation without changing its number of protons or neutrons.
o Example: Cobalt-60 decays by emitting gamma rays.

4. Half-Life

 Half-life (T½): The time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample of a radioactive
substance to decay.
 It is a constant property of each radioactive isotope and can range from fractions
of a second to millions of years.
 Example: The half-life of Uranium-238 is about 4.5 billion years, while the half-life
of Iodine-131 is about 8 days.

5. Nuclear Fission and Fusion

 Nuclear Fission: The splitting of a large atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei,
releasing energy. This process is used in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.
o Example: Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239 undergo fission when
bombarded by neutrons.
 Nuclear Fusion: The process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a
heavier nucleus, releasing massive amounts of energy. Fusion powers the sun
and hydrogen bombs.
o Example: Two hydrogen nuclei (protons) fuse to form helium in the sun.

6. Effects of Radiation

 Ionizing Radiation: Radiation that has enough energy to remove electrons from
atoms, creating ions. This can damage biological tissues and DNA, potentially
leading to cancer or genetic mutations.
o Acute Radiation Sickness: Occurs after exposure to high doses of
radiation, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.
o Long-term Effects: Chronic exposure can lead to cancer, genetic
mutations, and other health issues.

7. Units of Radiation

 Becquerel (Bq): The SI unit of radioactivity, equal to one decay per second.
 Curie (Ci): An older unit of radioactivity, where 1 Ci = 3.7 × 10¹⁰ decays per
second.
 Gray (Gy): The SI unit for absorbed radiation dose, measuring the amount of
energy absorbed per kilogram of tissue.
 Sievert (Sv): The SI unit used to measure the biological effects of radiation,
considering the type of radiation and its impact on health.

8. Uses of Radioactivity

 Medical Applications:
o Radiotherapy: Used to treat cancer by targeting and destroying cancer
cells with radiation.
o Medical Imaging: Techniques like PET scans use radioactive isotopes to
visualize internal organs and tissues.
 Industrial Applications:
o Radiation Sterilization: Used to sterilize medical equipment, food, and
other products.
o Thickness Gauging: In manufacturing, radioactive sources are used to
measure the thickness of materials.
 Carbon Dating: Carbon-14 is used to estimate the age of archaeological
samples, such as fossils and ancient artifacts.

9. Safety and Protection

 Shielding: Different types of radiation require different types of shielding:


o Alpha particles: Can be blocked by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of
skin.
o Beta particles: Can be blocked by materials like plastic, glass, or a few
millimeters of aluminum.
o Gamma rays: Require dense materials like lead or thick concrete to shield
effectively.
 Distance: Increasing the distance from a radiation source reduces exposure.
 Time: Minimizing the time spent near a radioactive source helps reduce
exposure.

10. Nuclear Waste and Disposal

 Nuclear Waste: The byproducts of nuclear reactions, often highly radioactive,


requiring careful disposal.
 Storage: Nuclear waste is typically stored in deep geological repositories or
specialized containment facilities to prevent radiation from contaminating the
environment.

11. Natural and Artificial Sources of Radiation

 Natural Radiation:
o Cosmic rays from space.
o Naturally occurring radioactive materials (e.g., uranium, radon, and
thorium).
 Artificial Radiation:
o Radiation from nuclear power plants, medical procedures, and industrial
applications.

12. Environmental Impact

 Radon Gas: A naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes,
particularly in basements, posing a health risk.
 Environmental Contamination: Accidents like the Chernobyl disaster (1986)
and Fukushima disaster (2011) resulted in widespread radioactive contamination,
affecting human health and the environment for many years.

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