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Radioactive Decay

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Published in: Physics
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This presentation clearly describes all the three type of decay viz alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay

Debarun S / Kolkata

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  1. Nuclear Reactions Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Decay
  2. The Atom The atom consists of two parts: 1. The nucleus which contains: protons neutrons 2. Orbiting electrons.
  3. The Atom All matter is made up of elements (e.g. carbon, hydrogen, etc.). The smallest part of an element is called an atom. Atom of different elements contain different numbers of protons. The mass of an atom is almost entirely due to the number of protons and neutrons.
  4. Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons Element symbol z Atomic number = number of protons
  5. z z number of protons + number of neutrons number of protons A — Z = number of neutrons Number of neutrons = Mass Number —Atomic Number
  6. There are many types of uranium: 235 92 z Number of protons Number of neutrons 238 92 z Number of protons Number of neutrons
  7. There are many types of uranium: 235 92 z 235 92 238 92 z 238 92 Number of protons 92 Number of neutrons 143 Number of protons 92 Number of neutrons 146 Isotopes of any particular element contain the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons.
  8. Most of the isotopes which occur naturally are stable. A few naturally occurring isotopes and all of the man- made isotopes are unstable. Unstable isotopes can become stable by releasing different types of particles. This process is called radioactive decay and the elements which undergo this process are called radioisotopes/radionuclides.
  9. Radioactive Decay Radioactive decay results in the emission of either: an alpha particle (u), a beta particle (ß), or a gamma ray(y).
  10. Alpha Decay An alpha particle is identical to that of a helium nucleus. It contains two protons and two neutrons.
  11. Alpha Decay x z unstable atom 4 He 2 alpha particle more stable atom
  12. 226 88 Alpha Decay 222 86 He
  13. 226 88 Alpha Decay He 222 Rn + He 86
  14. 222 86 222 86 Alpha Decay 218 84
  15. 234 92 Alpha Decay 230 Th + 90 230 90
  16. 230 90 230 90 Alpha Decay 226 88
  17. 218 Alpha Decay P b + He 82 P b + He
  18. Beta Decay A beta particle is a fast moving electron which is emitted from the nucleus of an atom undergoing radioactive decay. Beta decay occurs when a neutron changes into a proton and an electron.
  19. Beta Decay As a result of beta decay, the nucleus has one less neutron, but one extra proton. The atomic number, Z, increases by 1 and the mass number, A, stays the same.
  20. 218 Beta Decay 218
  21. Beta Decay 8+0 218 218 84
  22. 234 90 234 90 Beta Decay 234
  23. Beta Decay 210 82 210 210 82
  24. 210 210 Beta Decay 210 84
  25. Beta Decay 214 214 214 82
  26. Gamma Decay Gamma rays are not charged particles like u and ß particles. Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation with high frequency. When atoms decay by emitting u or ß particles to form a new atom, the nuclei of the new atom formed may still have too much energy to be completely stable. This excess energy is emitted as gamma rays (gamma ray photons have energies of 1 x 10-12 J)
  27. AGI"IS HI-Il 0 (NH