Download If the number of neutrons is higher than is required for stability of the

By: marissa komp
block 7
Radioactive Decay
is…
when there are more neutrons than there
are needed for the stability of the nucleus,
which makes the nucleus unstable. In
attempts to regain its stability, it tries to
convert its extra mass of neutrons into
sub-particles that are thrown out of the
atom.
-http://physics.tutorvista.com/modern-physics/radioactive-decay.html
There are three
types of radioactive
decay:
Alpha Decay
Beta Decay
Gamma Decay
Alpha decay
Alpha decay occurs when the nucleus has too
many protons which creates excessive repulsion.
It’s a radioactive decay in which the nucleus splits
by emission of an alpha particle. The nucleus
loses its 2 neutrons and 2 protons so its mass
number is decreases by 4 and atomic number
decreases by 2.
-physics.tutorvista.com/modern-physics/radioactive-decay.html
- http://library.thinkquest.org/3471/radiation_types_body.html
Beta decay
Beta Decay occurs when the neutron to proton
ratio is so high it creates an unstable nucleus. This
process converts a neutron into a proton and an
electron and the electron is emitted out of the
atom. In beta decay, the mass number of the atom
remains same but the atomic number decreases by
one.
-physics.tutorvista.com/modernphysics/radioactive-decay.html
gamma decay
Gamma decay occurs when the nucleus has too
much high energy and then falls down to a lower
energy state but, in the process, emits a high
energy photon known as a gamma particle.
-physics.tutorvista.com/modern-physics/radioactive-decay.html
-http://library.thinkquest.org/3471/radiation_types_body.html
radiological weapon
- A weapon, often a bomb designed to achieve
injury or contamination of a target using by
dispersing harmful radioisotopes.
-http://www.allwords.com/word-radiological+weapon.html
There are two basic ways that nuclear energy can be
released from an atom. In nuclear fission scientists
split the nucleus of an atom into two smaller
fragments with a neutron. Nuclear fusion -- the
process by which the sun produces energy -- involves
bringing together two smaller atoms to form a larger
one. In either process, fission or fusion, large amounts
of heat energy and radiation are given off.
-http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-bomb4.htm
Weapons continued…
As soon as the nucleus captures the neutron, it splits
into two lighter atoms and throws off two or three
new neutrons. The two lighter atoms then emit
gamma radiation as they settle into their new states.
Atomic bombs, and other weaponry use this splitting
of the atoms to create them.
sources
N/A. “Radioactive Decay”. Tutorvista.com. 2010. Web. February 4,
2013. <http://physics.tutorvista.com/modern-physics/radioactivedecay.html>
• N/A. “The Three Types of Radioactive Decay”. Thinkquest.org. N/A.
Web. February 3, 2013.
<http://library.thinkquest.org/3471/radiation_types_body.html>
• William Harris, Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D. and John Fuller. “How
Nuclear Bombs Work.” Howstuffworks.com. N/A. Web. February 4,
2013. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-bomb4.htm>
• Wiktionary.org. “Definitions”. Allwords.com. 1998-2013. Web.
February 3, 2013. <http://www.allwords.com/wordradiological+weapon.html>
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