Radioactivity

Radioactivity

1. Sometimes the nucleus in an atom is unstable. A change will occur in the nucleus to make it MORE stable. The change is called decay. During decay waves are emitted from the nucleus which is called radioactivity. During radioactivity heat is emitted from the nucleus. It is random which gives out heat

2. There are three main types of radioactivity called alpha beta or gamma.If the alpha or the beta particle is emitted the atomic mass will decrease. Atom changes into a different element. Alpha and Beta releases gamma radiation.

3. Radioactivity CAN cause damage to living cells leading to cancer.

   • A stable atom will have a stable number of protons and neutrons. An unstable atom is called a radioactive. Unstable nucleus decays and emits radioactivity. After the decay the nucleus changes into a more stable form. Atomic number changes and a new element is formed.

4. Radioactivity can be both harmful and useful. Radioactivity is useful because it rate of decay(called the half life) find our how old things are. The energy released n the nucleus during fission can be used to generate electricity.

5. Alpha article two protons with 2 neutrons. An alpha is the same as the nucleus of a helium atom. A beta particle is a proton produced in the nucleus and released.Gamma radiation is high energy electromagnetic waves .

6. Plum pudding model. Rutherford and Marsedon. Alpha scattering experiment. Took a very very thin piece of gold foil They fire tiny particles at the gold foil. Aplha particles are very small and travel very fast. Most alpha particles straight went through thr gold foil. This showed the the atom was mostly empty space. Atom bounce d straight back.

7. Properties of alpha beta and gamma.

8. Half life is the average time it takes for half of the nucleus to decay.