Radiation and Half-Life

1. Radiation and Half-Life 1.) Ionizing vs. Non-ionizing radiation 2.) Radioactive Decay (Half-life)

2. Non-Ionizing Radiation • Electromagnetic radiation without enough energy to release an electron (will not ionize) • Enough energy to excite an electron to a higher energy state

3. Ionizing Radiation • Electromagnetic radiation with enough energy to release an electron (will ionize)

4. Electromagnectic Spectrum

5. Isotopes • Atom is comprised of protons (+), electons(-)and neutrons • Mass comes from protons and neutrons • Isotopes share the same number of protons (+), but have different number of neutrons • ISOTOPES of Carbon– each below have 6 protons • Carbon-12 has 6 neutrons (over 99% naturally occurring) • Carbon-13 has 7 neutrons (6 protons + 7 neutrons = 13) • Carbon-14 has 8 neutrons

6. Half-Life • The amount of time it takes for the amount of the isotope to decay by half. • Forms an exponential decay • Known half-life can be used to determine the age of a material (Carbon-14 dating) 6 6

7. Carbon Dating • Carbon 14 • 6 protons + 8 neutrons = 14 • Carbon 14 makes up 1 part per trillion naturally • Carbon 14 decays to Nitrogen 14 through beta decay • Ionizing decay • Level of Carbon 14 is the same as atmosphere at the time of death, and then decays • Can determine ages up to 60,000 years old • Half life of 5730 years

8. Chocolatesium • Attention scientists! • New element has been discovered and its half-life needs to bemeasured. • Remember, half-life is when half the isotope remains