Radioactive Decay

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is a spontaneous process where the unstable nucleus of an atom emits radiation in order to become more stable.

Fundamental Particles in Radioactive Decay

  • Alpha particles: These are made up of two protons and two neutrons (He nuclei). They have a +2 charge and are quite large compared to other particles involved in radioactive decay.
  • Beta particles: These are high-energy electrons or positrons. They are very small, move quickly, and carry a -1 charge (electron) or +1 charge (positron).
  • Gamma rays: These are packets of electromagnetic energy or photons. They have no mass or charge.

Types of Radioactive Decay

  • Alpha Decay occurs when an atom’s nucleus ejects an alpha particle. The result is a new atom whose atomic number decreases by two and mass number decreases by four.
  • Beta Decay is a process where a neutron in the nucleus converts into a proton and ejects a beta particle (electron or positron). Beta-minus decay (electron emission) increases the atomic number by one, while beta-plus decay (positron emission) decreases the atomic number by one.
  • Gamma Decay is when an excited nucleus goes to a lower energy state and emits a gamma-ray photon. It doesn’t lead to a change in the type of atom, but alters the energy state of the nucleus.

Radioactive Half-Life

  • The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms to decay.
  • Different elements have different half-lives, ranging from fractions of a second to billions of years.

Dangers and Uses of Radioactivity

  • Exposure to strong radiation can cause harm to living tissues. This could result in sickness, genetic issues, or even death.
  • Despite these, radioactivity also has beneficial uses. For example, it’s used in medicine for diagnosis and treatment, in archaeological dating (carbon dating), and in power generation (nuclear reactors).

Remember that the concept of radioactive decay is a key aspect of nuclear physics and understanding it provides a base for various applications and further studies in the field of physics.