RADIOACTIVITY

This is an assignment on Radioactivity. The aims

of this assignment is to define radioactivity, list
the different types of radiation and explain how
their characteristics allow them to be effective in
respective area, and describe the dangers and uses
of radiation.
Due date: 4 November 2014
Subject: Chemistry
Class: Form 4
Submitted to: Sir Kurt DaSilva
Submitted by: Adrian, Tiffany, Wallana, and Jonathon
 What Is Radioactivity?
Radioactivity, also known as radioactive/nuclear
decay, is the process whereby the nucleus of an
unstable atom releases energy by emitting particles
of ionizing radiation. This unstable atom is said to
be radioactive. Radioactive isotopes are also
called radioisotopes. In trying to stabilize, a
radioisotope may transform into a new element; this
process is known as transmutation.
 Types of Radiation
There are three types of radiation, alpha, beta
and gamma. A radioactive material
spontaneously emits energetic alpha particles,
beta particles and/or gamma rays in an attempt
to gain stability within its nucleus.
 Alpha decay
Alpha decay occurs when a radioactive isotope emits an
alpha particle(helium nucleus), that is, two protons and two
neutrons.

Alpha particles are, therefore, positively charged and have a

very large ionizing power. This ionizing power makes
alpha particles very dangerous since they can ionise DNA
causing mutations. These particles(which travel at 1/20 the
speed of light) can be stopped by a thin sheet of paper and
can, therefore, not penetrate skin so they must be taken
into the body in order to cause bodily harm.
The isotope produces after alpha decay has a mass number of
four units lower and a nuclear charge of two units lower
than the original atom.
 Beta decay
Beta decay occurs when the nucleus of a radioisotope emits a
beta particle, ie. an electron travelling at high speeds.

A beta particle, therefore, has a small negative charge an a

small ionizing power. Unlike alpha decay, beta can
penetrate skin( it is stopped by a 6mm thick sheet of
aluminium). And though its ionizing power is less than that
of alpha decay its can cause mutations due to the ionization
of DNA.
In beta decay the mass number remains the same but the
proton number increases by one. This is due to the changing
of a neutron into a proton and an electron.
 Gamma decay
Gamma decay results in the emission electromagnetic waves of very
high frequency and short wavelength called gamma rays.

Gamma radiation has no charge and a very miniscule ionizing power. It

is extremely hazardous, however, since it can excite atoms in the
body and cause them to release more gamma radiation resulting in a
chain reaction. Gamma rays travel at the speed of light and have a
very strong penetrating power; it takes a thick sheet of lead to stop
them.
These rays can be emitted along with beta or alpha particles in a
process known as electron capture. The mass number remains the
same but the atomic number decreases by one, since a proton is
converted into a neutron.
Types of Radiation.
 Uses of Radiation
Radioisotopes are very important. While
discovered less than one hundred years ago,
they are now used in a wide variety of
scientific applications that affect life in many
ways. Their applications range from use in
smoke detectors to medical research to the
generation of nuclear power.
 Advantages/Uses of Radiation.
Medical Use
1)Tracers
A tracer is a radioactive element which can be used to explore
the process of chemical reactions by tracing the path that
the radioisotopes take from reactants to products. For
example, radioactive iodine- 131 is used to study the
function of the thyroid gland.

.
 2) Cancer Treatment

One method of treatment is to direct a narrow beam

of radiation into the tumour from outside the body.
angling it from several different directions in turn

This is the method of teletherapy; Cobalt-60 is most commonly used.

 Other Medical Use
Bismuth-213 :Used for targeted alpha therapy (TAT),
especially cancers, as it has a high energy
Chromium-51 : Used to label red blood cells and quantify
gastro-intestinal protein loss.
Erbium-169: Use for relieving arthritis pain in synovial
joints.
Holmium-166: Being developed for diagnosis and
treatment of liver tumours.
Iodine-125: Used in cancer brachytherapy (prostate and
brain), also diagnostically to evaluate the filtration rate of
kidneys and to diagnose deep vein thrombosis in the leg. It
is also widely used to show the presence of hormones in
tiny quantities.
 Archaeology
Carbon Dating
Radio carbon dating is the use of the
radioisotope carbon-14 to estimate the age of
ancient organic materials.

.
 Industry
Sterilization
Gamma irradiation is widely used for sterilising
medical products, for other products such as
wool, and for food. Cobalt-60 is the main
isotope used, since it is an energetic gamma
emitter.

.
Smoke detectors
Americium-241 is used in most domestic smoke
detectors.
 Agriculture
Element tracing
Radioisotopes can be used to help understand
chemical and biological processes in plants. A
solution of phosphate (or other element),
containing radioactive phosphorus-32, is injected
into the root system of a plant and its path traced.
Thickness control
In order to control thickness during production, a beta
source (eg. Nickel-63, Promethium-147) is placed
on one side of a sheet of material. A detector (e.g. a
Geiger counter) is put on the other side and can
monitor how much radiation gets through.
 Dangers/Disadvantages of
Radioactivity
Animals & Humans
Biological effects of radiation on living cells
may result in three outcomes:
1. Injured cells may repair themselves, resulting
in no residual damage.
2. Cells die to be replaced by new cells.
3. Cells incorrectly repair themselves, resulting
in biophysical change.
Plant Growth

While plants depend on natural

radiation for growth (eg. Light for
photosynthesis), ionizing
radiation that occurs from nuclear
material can result in weakening
of seeds and mutations.
Marine Life
Radiation can also have harmful effects on
marine life, some of which include:
Reduction in reproduction capabilities
Reduced plankton population
Reduced amount of food and oxygen plankton
produce
Nuclear Weapons
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that
derives its destructive force from nuclear
reactions, either fission, or a combination of
fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast
quantities of energy from relatively small
amounts of matter.