The Nucleus, Isotopes & Radioactivity

Radioactivity Band of Stability

As atomic number increases the number
of neutrons in the nucleus tends to
increase much more rapidly than the
number of protons to counteract the
repulsion between protons in the nucleus.
So, the ratio of neutrons to protons (n/p)
increases with increasing atomic number.
Some n/p ratios are very stable while
others lead to unstable nuclei
A so-called band of stability exists as
shown in the figure

Alpha
emission

Beta
emission

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The Nucleus, Isotopes & Radioactivity

Radioactivity Band of Stability
The unstable isotopes of some elements
decay spontaneously over time producing
isotopes of a different element. These
unstable isotopes are called radioactive
isotopes
By producing a new element with a lower
n/p ratio, the nucleus becomes more
stable
Isotopes to the left of the band of stability
have high n/p ratios and decay by beta
emission to move closer to the band
Isotopes to the top of the band with
atomic numbers larger than 84 tend to
decay by alpha emission to move closer to
the band

Alpha
emission

Beta
emission

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The Nucleus, Isotopes & Radioactivity

Radioactivity Emissions
Radioactive isotopes emit rays and/or particles when they decay
Name of
Emission

Type of Particle / Rays Emitted

Stopped by

Alpha ()

helium nuclei (positively charged

particles)

thin sheet of paper

Beta ()

electrons (negatively charged

particles) from nucleus

6 mm thick
aluminium foil

Gamma ()

very high frequency

electromagnetic radiation

thick lead sheet

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The Nucleus, Isotopes & Radioactivity

Radioactivity Emissions

Radioactive source in
lead block

Screen detects radiation

by luminescence
Electric field
rays, positively charged
rays not deflected

rays , negatively charged

+
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The Nucleus, Isotopes & Radioactivity

Radioactivity Decay Equations -Decay

-decay: positively charged helium nucleus emitted

219
4
E.g. 223
Ra

Rn

88
86
2 He
Mass number decreases by 4
Atomic number decreases by 2
A new element is obtained
The sum of the mass numbers is the same on both sides
The sum of atomic numbers is the same on both sides

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The Nucleus, Isotopes & Radioactivity

Radioactivity Decay Equations -Decay

-decay: negatively charged electron emitted from nucleus

Neutron is converted to a proton and an electron
1
1
0
n

0
1
1 e

E.g. 146 C147 N 01e

Mass number remains the same
Atomic number increases by one
A new element is obtained
The sum of the mass numbers is the same on both sides
The sum of atomic numbers is the same on both sides

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The Nucleus, Isotopes & Radioactivity

Radioactivity Decay Equations -Decay

-decay: -rays (short-wavelength (10-12 m) electromagnetic

rays) emitted
Occurs along with - or -particle emission
After radioactive decay, the nucleus is in an unstable excited
energy state. It goes to a lower energy state by emitting
radiation in the gamma-ray region of the electromagnetic
spectrum
Atomic and mass numbers may change depending on
whether - or - decay is also occurring

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The Nucleus, Isotopes & Radioactivity

Radioactivity Balancing Nuclear Equations

E.g. Balance the following nuclear equation:

16
7

Nab O 01e

The sum of the mass numbers must be the same on both

sides of the equation
The sum of the atomic numbers must be the same on both
sides of the equation
mass numbers: 16 = a + 0 a = 16
atomic numbers: 7 = b + (-1) b = 8
16
The isotope produced is 8 O
16
16
0
The equation is 7 N 8 O 1e
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The Nucleus, Isotopes & Radioactivity

Radioactivity Uses of Radioisotopes
Some common uses include:
.14C radioactive dating
235U is used to generate energy in nuclear reactors
131I is used as a radioactive tracer for the thyroid
60Co is used for cancer radiotherapy

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