Radioactivity

3 types of radioactivity

• Alpha
• Beta
• Gamma

ALPHA particle

• Alpha particles are made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.
• Therefore, they have a charge of +2, and a mass of 4

who discovered the alpha particle?

• Ernest Rutherford discovered alpha particles in 1899.
• His studies greatly contributed to our understanding of the atom today.

Beta particle

• Beta particles have an electrical charge of -1.
• They are basically just electrons from the nucleus.

Who discovered beta particles?

• Henri Becquerel has been credited with the discovery of beta particles.
• He also discovered that beta particles are identical to electrons.

gamma-rays

• Gamma-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation.
• Most of the time an atom in an excited state will become less excited by emitting a gamma ray.

who discovered gamma-rays?

• Paul Villard discovered gamma radiation in 1900.
• While in the process of studying the radiation emitted from radium.

Uses for Radioactivity :

tracers

• "A substance, especially a radioactive one, traced through a biological, chemical, or physical system in order to study the system." According to dictionary.com
• Tracers are commonly used in the medical field

Nuclear reactors

• An apparatus in which fissile material can be made to undergo a controlled, nuclear reaction.

x-Rays

• Trained technicians use radiography to image materials and products.

sterilization

• A common application of radiation sterilization of medical instruments and food is.

Common sources of Radioactivity :

"Man-made" radiation

• Smoke detectors
• Coal-burning power plants
• Nuclear weapon detonations

natural radiation

• Radon gas
• Cosmic rays

the atomic nucleus

• The atom is made up of protons, neutrons and electrons.
• Positively-charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons are located in the nucleus.

the atomic nucleus

• Neutrons and Protons are packed together tightly so the nucleus takes up just a tiny part of the atom.
• But surprisingly, the Nucleus makes up most of its mass.

Size comparison of nucleus

• "If an atom were the size of a football stadium, its nucleus would be the size of a marble!" according to the Radio Activity and Nuclear reactions handbook.

the end

sources

• "Radioactivity." Radioactivity. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
• "Alpha Beta Gamma Radiation." Alpha Beta Gamma Radiation. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
• "What Is Radiation? What Is Radioactivity?" What Is Nuclear? / Radioactivity. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2015.