MAKTAB RENDAH SAINS MARA

TUN GHAFAR BABA

PHYSICS HOMEWORK
FORM 5 2017
RADIOACTIVITY
NISA HUSNA BINTI ABDUL JAMIL
502

HALF LIFE

The time taken for half the atoms in a given sample to decay.
Half life, T of radioactive isotope is :o the time taken for the activity of atoms of that isotopes to fall
to half of its original value
o The time taken for the numbers of radioactive atoms to
decrease to half of its original number
Nx = (1/2) N
o x = number of half-lives
o N = original number of atoms
o Nx = number of atoms remaining after x half-lives

RADIOACTIVE DECAY
1. ALPHA DECAY
Alpha particle is the nucleus of helium
- Has 2 protons and 2 neutrons
- Has a charge of +2e
When alpha decay occurs :- The radioactive parent nucleus loses 2 protons and 2
neutrons which carry away energy
- The proton number, Z decrease by 2 ( Z-2 )
- The nucleon number, A decrease by 4 ( A-4 )
General equation : Examples :2. BETA

DECAY
Beta particle is an electron with a charge of -1e
When beta decay occurs :- The proton number becomes ( Z+1 )
- The nucleon number remains unchanged
General equation :Examples :-

3. GAMMA EMISSION
The emission (the production and discharge of something) of alpha
and/or beta particle from a nucleus sometimes leaves the protons and
neutrons in an excited arrangement.

The protons and neutrons rearrange to become more

stable, the lose energy. (burst of gamma emission)
Results :- An electromagnetic radiation.
- No change in proton number and nucleon number.
- Nucleus is less energetic
General equation :Examples :-

RADIOACTIVE DECAY SERIES

Sometimes after a radioactive decay, the daughter nuclide formed is still
unstable.
It will further decay into another nuclide which may also unstable.
This process continues until a stable nuclide is reached. This is called
a series decay.
Each decay will emit either an alpha particle or a beta particle and may be
gamma ray.
Figure below shows a series decay started from plutonium-241 to formed
Thallium-205 eventually.

CHARACTERISTICS

3 Types of Radioactive Emission

Mass : Large
Speed : Approximately one-tenth of the speed of light (~0.1c)

Beta Particle

Mass : Very Small

Speed : Up to nine-tenth of the speed of light ( <0.9c)

Gamma Ray

Mass : No Mass
Speed : Speed of light

Ionising Effect

All alpha, beta and gamma emission can cause ionising effect.

Alpha particle has high ionizing power.Beta particle has low ionizing power.

Gamma ray has very low ionizing power.

Penetrating Power

Deflection in Electric Field

Deflection in Magnetic Field

Alpha and beta emission can be deflected by a magnetic field.

The direction of deflection can be determined by using Flemings Left Hand Rule.

Beta particle deflected more compare to alpha particle due to its much smaller mass.

Summary
Characteristic

Alpha Particle

Beta Particle

Gamma Ray

Symbol

Nature

Nucleus of Helium

Charge

+2

-1

Neutral

strong

weak

Very weak

Sheet of writing paper

About 5mm of aluminium

Never fully absorded. 25mm

Ionizing Effect
Absorted by

High speed electron

Electromagnetic wave

of lead reduces intensity to

half
Deflection in Electric

Can be deflected

Can be deflected

Not deflected

Can be deflected

Can be deflected

Not deflected

Up to 10% of the speed of

Up to 90% of the speed of

Speed of light

light

light

Field
Deflection in
magnetic Field
Speed

REFERENCES

1.Success Physics SPM

2.http://spmphysics.onlinetuition.com.my/
3. www.google.com