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Radiation and Nuclear Decay

Chapter 18. Radiation and Nuclear Decay. Nuclear Decay. There are 3 types of radiation Alpha ( α ) Beta ( β ) Gamma ( γ ). Alpha Decay ( α ). An alpha particle breaks away from the nucleus An alpha particle has 2 protons and 2 neutrons Atomic mass: 4 amu Charge: +2

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Radiation and Nuclear Decay

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  1. Chapter 18 Radiation and Nuclear Decay

  2. Nuclear Decay • There are 3 types of radiation • Alpha (α) • Beta (β) • Gamma (γ)

  3. Alpha Decay (α) • An alpha particle breaks away from the nucleus • An alpha particle has 2 protons and 2 neutrons • Atomic mass: 4 amu • Charge: +2 • Identical to the nucleus of a helium atom • Can be stopped by a piece of paper

  4. Beta Decay (β) • An electron is emitted from the nucleus of an atom • Atomic mass: .0006 amu • Charge: -1 • Remember the charge of an electron is -1 • Can be stopped by a piece of aluminum foil

  5. Gamma Decay (γ) • A gamma ray is emitted from the nucleus of an atom • No mass and no charge • It’s an electromagnetic wave • Not as harmful as alpha or beta particles but much harder to stop • Takes lead or thick concrete to stop it

  6. Half-Life • The time it takes for half of a nuclei to decay • Example: If we begin with an atom of Carbon-14 and it goes through Beta decay. Carbon-14 begins with 6 electrons (from the periodic table). After a single half life of 5,730 years, it now only has 3 electrons • Carbon dating is used to measure how old objects are like dinosaur fossils.

  7. Nuclear Fission • The process of splitting a nucleus into several smaller nuclei. • Fission means “to divide” • Occurs when a neutron strikes an unstable atom • This atom releases two more neutrons and the loss of mass creates tons of energy

  8. Nuclear Fusion • Two nuclei of low masses combine to form one nucleus of larger mass • Fusion “fuses” together and fission “divides” • Nuclei have + charge however and want to repel each other • Nuclei need to move at super speeds to get close enough • The faster they travel, the hotter they become • Only at millions of degrees Celsius can fusion occur

  9. The Sun • The only place hot enough for Nuclear Fusion to occur • Nuclear Fusion keeps the sun going

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