Radioactivity

Radiation is the spontaneous breaking up of unstable nuclei with the emission of one or more types of radiation
Types of radioactive radiation
1. Alpha particles
2. Beta particles
3. Gamma Rays
Discovered by Becquerel
A Radioisotope is an isotope of an element whose nuclei spontaneously breaks up with the release of one or more types of radiation
1. Uses Of Radioisotopes
  1. 2.Archaeological- By measuring the amount of carbon 14 in the remains of a plant, scientists can work out the age of the plant
  2. 3.Food Irradiation- Irradiation of food with gamma rays kills disease carrying organisms. eg spices
  3. 1.Medical- Gamma rays can be used to penetrate the body and kill cancerous cells
The Half-life of an element is the time taken for half of the nuclei in any given sample of decay
Precautions
1. No radioactive substance should be handled with bare hands
2. Radioactive materials must be stored in thick lead containers.
3. People working with radioactive isotopes must wear protective clothing
Nuclear Equations

Resource summary

	Created by emmajarvis96 almost 12 years ago