Describing the Effects on the Atomic and Mass Numbers of a Nucleus of the Emission of Each of the Types of Radiation If the decay process involves the nucleus ejecting either an alpha or a beta particle, the atomic number will change. This basically means that alpha or beta causes the original element to transform into a different element. Gamma radiation since – they are waves, will not change either the atomic or mass number of the element. The general form of an alpha decay equation is: Y W + He + Energy A A 4 4 – Z Z 2 2 The helium nucleus is the alpha particle. This is called a nuclear equation. Everything needs to be balanced out. Here is an example of alpha decay involving a radium atom splitting into a radon atom and an alpha particle: Ra Rn + He + Energy 222 218 4 88 86 2 Beta The general form of the beta decay equation is: Y W + e + Energy A A 0 Z Z + 1 -1 An example involving the radioactive isotope of carbon, carbon-14, decaying to form the stable isotope of the gas nitrogen: C N + e + Energy 14 14 0 6 7 -1 Gamma As mentioned earlier, rays don’t alter the mass or atomic number of the nucleus. It is emitted when an unstable nucleus have surplus energy, even after emitting an alpha or beta particle. Detecting Ionising Radiation Photographic film is used by scientists to detect radioactivity. If the film becomes fogged, it shows that the scientist has been exposed to a certain amount of radiation. These films are checked regularly to ensure that the safety limit for exposure to ionising radiation is not exceeded. The Geiger Müller Tube – When ionising radiation enters the tube, it causes the low pressure gas inside to form ions. The ions allow a pulse of current to flow from the electrode to the conducting layer. This then gets recorded in the counting circuit as a sound. Sometimes, ‘click’ GM tubes are connected to rate meters, which measure the number of ionising events per second and therefore, give out a measure of radioactivity in Becquerels.
Describing the Effects on the Atomic and Mass Numbers of a Nucleus of the Emission of Each of the Types of Radiation If the decay process involves the nucleus ejecting either an alpha or a beta particle, the atomic number will change. This basically means that alpha or beta causes the original element to transform into a different element. Gamma radiation – since they are waves, will not change either the atomic or mass number of the element. The general form of an alpha decay equation is: A Y A – 4 W + 4 He + Energy Z Z 2 2 The helium nucleus is the alpha particle. This is called a nuclear equation. Everything needs to be balanced out. Here is an example of alpha decay involving a radium atom splitting into a radon atom and an alpha particle: 222 Ra 218 Rn + 4 He + Energy 88 86 2 Beta The general form of the beta decay equation is: A Y A W + 0 e + Energy Z Z + 1 -1 An example involving the radioactive isotope of carbon, carbon-14, decaying to form the stable isotope of the gas nitrogen: 14 C 14 N + 0 e + Energy 6 7 -1 Gamma As mentioned earlier, rays don’t alter the mass or atomic number of the nucleus. It is emitted when an unstable nucleus have surplus energy, even after emitting an alpha or beta particle. Detecting Ionising Radiation Photographic film is used by scientists to detect radioactivity. If the film becomes fogged, it shows that the scientist has been exposed to a certain amount of radiation. These films are checked regularly to ensure that the safety limit for exposure to ionising radiation is not exceeded. The Geiger – Müller Tube When ionising radiation enters the tube, it causes the low pressure gas inside to form ions. The ions allow a pulse of current to flow from the electrode to the conducting layer. This then gets recorded in the counting circuit as a ‘click’ sound. Sometimes, GM tubes are connected to rate meters, which measure the number of ionising events per second and therefore, give out a measure of radioactivity in Becquerels.