Nuclear Equations, Half-life, and Contamination

how are alpha particles represented in equations?

4^_2 He

how are beta equations represented in equations?

0^_-1 e

how does alpha decay change the nucleus?

The mass decreases by 4 and the charge decreases by 2

how does beta decay change the nucleus?

the mass doesn’t change but the charge increases by 1

what is half-life?

• the time it takes for the number of nuclei of the isotope in a sample to half

• the time it takes for the count rate from a sample containing the isotope to fall to half its initial level

what equation can be used to calculate half life

time for half life = total time/no. of half lives

what is contamination?

when something contains a substance that has radioactive (decaying) particles in/on it

what is irradiation?

when something has been exposed to radiation but doesn’t become radioactive itself