Isotopes & Nuclear Radiation

• isotopes

  different forms of the same element where the proton and electron number is the same and the neutron number is different
• alpha particles

  • helium nuclei
  • 2 neutrons & 2 protons
  • absorbed by a thin sheet of paper
  • strongly ionising
• beta particles

  • high speed electrons
  • have of charge of -1
  • absorbed by a sheet of aluminium
  • moderately ionisinng
• gamma rays

  • wave of electromagnetic radiation
  • no mass
  • absorbed a thick lead
  • weakly ionising
• nuclear equations

  show radioactive decay
• equation

  atom before decay -> atom after decay + radiation emitted
• alpha decay decreases the charge and mass of nucleus
• beta decay increases charge of the nucleus
• gamma rays dont change mass or charge of nucleus
• half-life

  time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in an isotope to half