Radioactivity

• • Chemical Reaction: change in the arrangement of electrons in atoms 
• Nuclear Reaction: change in the nucleus of atoms
• • Isotopes: atoms with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons 
• • Radioisotopes: isotopes that are radioactive
• • Natural Radioactivity: the spontaneous breakdown of an atom’s nucleus releasing radiation
• Alpha decay

  • 2 proton and 2 neutron [bonded] are emitted from the unstable nucleus
  • weakest
• Beta decay

  • An electron that’s emitted. It’s a fast electron
• Gamma rays

  • Rays that are highly concentrated
  • no mass and no charge
  • strongest
•  Long term or intense exposure to radiation can cause living cells to mutate or die
• • Fission: splitting of a large atom into smaller elements
  • Dense source of energy 
  • Less energy than nuclear fusion 
  • Heat from fission can be used to produce electricity 
  • May create radioactive by-products 
• • Fusion: combining or fusing of two or more elements
  • High amounts of energy released
  • Energy source of stars
  • Creates more energy than nuclear fission 
  • Does not create radioactive byproducts 
• • Half life is the time it takes for half of the nuclei in a given sample to undergo radioactive decay.