radioactivity

some isotopes have an ______ nucleus

unstable

how do unstable isotopes do to become stable? and what is this called?

nucleus gives out radiation

radioactive decay

radioactive decay is a completely ________ process

random

what is radioactive activity

the rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decay

what is activity measured in

becquerel (Bq)

1Bq = 1 decay per second

what can you use to measure the radioactive activity

geiger muller tube

what is the count rate

number of decays recorded each second by a detector

what is an alpha particle

a helium nucleus

what is an alpha particle made up of

protons and neutrons

what is a beta particle

an electron that is ejected from the nucleus at high speed

how is a beta particle formed

it is formed inside the nucleus when a neutron changes into a proton and electron

what is a gamma ray

electromagnetic wave (radiation) from the nucleus

iodine- 131 because gamma can pass through the body and it has a lower half life which will do less damage to the patients cells

what is a half life

the time it takes for half the nuclei to decay