Physics Module Form 5 Chapter 10: Radioactive

RADIOACTIVE DECAY 1. 2. Radioactive decay a process in which an unstable nucleus changes into a more stable nucleus by emitting radiation. 3 types of radioactive decay: Alpha decay Beta decay Gamma decay

Example:

+
+

Example:

+ +

Example:

+ +

Radioactive Decay Series Example1:

-particles : 2 -particles : 3 -particles : 3

Exercise 10.2.2 1. Uranium -238 (

238 92

U ) emits an alpha particle and disintegrates into a thorium atom. State the

nucleon number and proton number of the thorium isotope formed.

2. Strontium - 90 (

90 38

Sr ) decays to yttrium-90

Homework.. Mastery Practice 5.2 no.3

HALF-LIFE, T 1. Time taken for the number of undecayed nuclei to be reduced to half of its original number. Fraction Percentage Mass
Activity

Graph

100% 50% 25% 12.5%

N 100g 50g 25g N 12.5g

t

T
1

Physics Module Form 5 Chapter 10: Radioactive

Percentage Example: The radioactive atoms in a substance decay to become stable atom. It is found that after 288s, 6.25% of the atoms have not decayed. What is the half-life of the substance? Solution:

Mass Graph Example: The half-life of iodine131 is 8 days. A Activity radioactive sample contains 64g of 1600 iodine-131. Determine the mass of iodine 800 that has decayed and 200 has not decayed after 24 days. 0 25 T

t/min

(a) What is the half life of the sample? (b) State the value of T.

Homework.. Mastery Practice 5.2 no.4, 5 and 7

UNDERSTANDING THE USES OF RADIOISOTOPES Isotopes are atoms of an element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. Have same chemical properties have same number of electrons. Their physical properties are different different number of neutrons. Radioactive isotopes are called radioisotopes. Properties of radioisotopes which make them suitable in many applications. Emits radioactive radiation. Radioactive can kill cells. Radioactive radiations have different penetrating ability with materials of different thickness and densities. Radioactive can cause cell mutation. Radioactive radiations can ionize molecules. Its activity decreases with time. Radioisotopes have same chemical properties as non-radioactive isotopes of the same element. Radioisotopes are unstable isotopes which decay and give out radioactive emission. Are naturally occurring/artificially produced. Artificial radioisotopes can be produced when certain nuclides are bombarded by high energy particles.

Homework.. Find applications of radioisotopes in different fields.