180 likes | 318 Views
NUCLEAR CHANGES. What is Radioactivity?. What happens when an element undergoes radioactive decay ?. During radioactive decay an unstable nuclei of an isotope emits particles and releases energy , to become a stable isotope. “NUCLEAR”. To radiate means “to give off”.
E N D
NUCLEAR CHANGES What is Radioactivity?
What happens when an element undergoes radioactive decay? • During radioactive decay an unstable nuclei of an isotopeemits particles and releases energy, to become a stable isotope. “NUCLEAR” To radiate means “to give off”
Isotopes of an element are atoms that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei
http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Radiography/stableunstableatoms.htmhttp://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Radiography/stableunstableatoms.htm UNSTABLE NUCLEI
RADIATION Nuclear Radiation Electromagnetic Radiation Energy given off by an atom due to an acceleration of the atoms electrons • A release of energy and particles from the nucleus of an atom
Made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons • Positively charged (+2) • Emitted from unstable Isotopes • Largest type of nuclear radiation • Slow speed and low penetrating distance (1 to 2 inches in air) • Can be stopped by a sheet of paper or body’s outer layer of skin • Least harmful type of nuclear radiation The alpha particle
Made up of faster moving and lighter electrons • Negatively charged • Smaller than alpha particles • Can travel through 10 ft. of air pass through a sheet of paper, but can be stopped by aluminum or wood • While clothing will stop most beta particles, they can penetrate the live layers of skin tissue. The beta particle
Materials undergoing radioactive decay are changing! • AND – Materials that get bombarded with nuclear radiation are affected
There are 5 types of nuclear radiation • Alpha particles • Beta particles • Gamma rays • Neutrons • neutrinos
Measuring Radiation • A Geiger counter has a negatively charged Cu tube with a positively charged wire running through it.
Measuring Radiation • The tube is filled with gas at low pressure. • Radiation knocks electrons off the gas which are attracted to the wire producing a current.
Measuring Radiation • An amplifier strengthens the current producing a clicking sound or a flashing light. • The number of clicks or flashes per second tell how strong the radiation is.
Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Which objects can travel through video. :58 min • “Whys Guy” shows some everyday radioactive materials. 4:24 min
BrightStorm: Fusion, Fission, Fission Reactors, E=mc2 • http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/nuclear-physics-3.html