2022-23 "Radioactivity" 10.1

10.1 Radioactivity

(and no, this doesn't mean listening to the radio more often...)

​Chapter 10.1 "Radioactivity" Learning Objectives

• Explain what happens during nuclear decay

• Identify and explain the three main types of nuclear radiation

• Describe how the different types of nuclear radiation affect atoms

​Nuclear Decay

• Radioactivity: Natural process where an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles and energy

• Radioisotope: Atom with an unstable nucleus

• Nuclear Decay: Atoms (radioisotopes) of one element spontaneously change into atoms of a different element (e.g., U-238 decays to Th-234)

Multiple Choice

Radioactivity

• Any atom containing an unstable nucleus

• Process where an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles

• Atoms of one element change into atoms of a different element or elements

• Total protonic reversal (shout out to "Ghost Busters")

Multiple Choice

Radioisotope

• Any atom containing an unstable nucleus

• Process where an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles

• Atoms of one element change into atoms of a different element or elements

• Total protonic reversal (shout out to "Ghost Busters")

Multiple Choice

Nuclear Decay

• Any atom containing an unstable nucleus

• Process where an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles

• Atoms of one element change into atoms of a different element or elements

• Total protonic reversal (shout out to "Ghost Busters")

​Types of Nuclear Radiation

• Nuclear Radiation: Charged particles and energy emitted from nuclei of radioisotopes

• Three Types of Nuclear Radiation:

  • Alpha Particles

  • Beta Particles

  • Gamma Rays

Multiple Choice

Nuclear Radiation is best defined as

• Charged particles and energy emitted from nuclei of radioisotopes

• Non-charged particles and energy emitted from nuclei of radioisotopes

• Charged particles and energy retained in nuclei of radioisotopes

• Non-charged particles and energy emitted from nuclei of radioisotopes

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT a type of Nuclear Radiation?

• Alpha Particles

• Beta Particles

• Gamma Rays

• C Rays

​Alpha Decay

• Alpha Particle: Positively charged atomic particle with two protons and two neutrons (e.g., like Helium without the two electrons)

• Alpha Decay: Nuclear decay that releases alpha particles = a nuclear reaction (expressed similarly to a balanced chemical reaction)

• Alpha particles are the least penetrating type of nuclear radiation

Multiple Choice

Alpha Particles can be stopped by a single piece of paper.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Alpha particles are weak, but they travel long distances.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Uranium-238 decays into which Radioisotope?

• Thorium-234

• Einsteinium-666

• Helium-3

• Oxygen-16

Open Ended

Write the balanced nuclear equation for the Alpha decay of Uranium-238.

​Beta Decay

• Beta Decay: Thorium-234 nucleus experiences Beta Decay, where one of its neutrons decomposes into one proton and one electron, creating

• The new proton stays trapped in Thorium's nucleus and the electron is released as negatively charged radiation called Beta Particles

• Beta Particle: An electron emitted by an unstable nucleus

  • Electrons negatively charged assigned a -1 Atomic Number

  • Electrons have negligible mass compared to Protons = 0 Mass Number

• Beta Particles are more penetrating than Alpha Particles (smaller mass and faster speed)

Open Ended

Write the balanced nuclear equation for the Beta Decay of Thorium-234

Multiple Choice

Thorium-234 undergoes Beta Decay resulting in what Element?

• Spazmonium-1

• McDonalozium-13

• Protractinium-234

• Love Potion Number 9

Multiple Choice

Beta Particles cannot be stopped even by a thick sheet of metal.

• True

• False

​Gamma Decay

• Nuclear Radiation emitted from an unstable nucleus in the form of Gamma Rays (not charged particles like Alpha and Beta Particles)

• Gamma Radiation has no mass and no charge

• Gamma Rays are energy waves that travel through space at the speed of light (see Electromagnetic Spectrum)

• During Gamma Decay, mass of the atom stays the same, but the energy of the nucleus decreases.

• Often happens during/alongside Alpha or Beta Decay

Open Ended

Write the balanced nuclear equation for the Beta Particle and Gamma Ray decay of Thorium-234

Multiple Choice

Gamma Rays are much more penetrating than Alpha or Beta Particles.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

In Gamma Decay, the nucleus _____________ energy.

• increases

• decreases

• maintains the same energy

• it's the electrons that decrease in energy not the nucleus

​Fun Facts to Know and Tell - Nuclear Radiation

• Humans are exposed to naturally occurring nuclear radiation every day in trace radioisotopes found as part of Trees, Rocks, Plants, Sunlight, Animals, Water

• Most naturally occurring radiation is known as Background Radiation, and its radiation levels are low and safe for humans

• However, prolonged exposure to Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation can result in damage to human cells/DNA

  • Alpha Emitters - Radon-222 inhaled or eaten potential cause of lung cancer

  • Beta Emitters - Tritium, Carbon-14 can enter skin causing Beta Burns similar to Sunburn

  • Gamma Emitters - Uranium-238 pass through body causing significant tissue damage

• Chapter 10.2 - Used in medicine to identify certain diseases and destroy certain cancerous cells

Multiple Choice

Prolonged exposure to penetrating radiation can cause damage to human tissue.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The amount of tissue damage to humans from exposure to radiation depends mainly on the penetrating power of the radiation.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Most radiation existing naturally in the environment is almost always harmful to humans.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Most radiation existing naturally at low levels in the environment is known as

• Background Radiation

• Foreground Radiation

• Invisible Radiation

• Natural Radiation