Radioactivity

Chemistry

Radioactivity

the spontaneous breaking up of unstable nuclei with the emission of one or more types of radiation

Isotopes

atoms of the same element (same number of protons) with different mass numbers due to having a different number of neutrons

Nuclear reaction

a process that alters the composition, structure or energy of an atomic nucleus

Half-life

the time taken for half of the nuclei in any given sample to decay

Radioisotope (radionuclide)

an atom with an unstable nucleus

Medical use of radioisotopes

gamma rays kill cancerous cells and sterilise equipment

Archaeological use of radioisotopes

after a living thing dies the amount of C-14 decreases. Used to determine the age of a plant or animal

Food use of radioisotopess

gamma rays kill disease-causing organisms

Alpha radiation ex.

americium-241: used in smoke detectors

Beta radiation ex.

carbon-14: used in carbon dating

Gamma radiation ex.

Cobalt-60: used in cancer treatment