Radioisotopes

Gravitational Force

Weakest force, acts over long ranges, depends on mass and distance, reponsible for planetary orbit

Weak Nuclear Force

Second weakest force, very short range, holds quarks inside protons and neutrons together, can cause some types of particle decay

Electromagnetic Force

Second strongest force, infinite range, responsible for attraction and repulsion of magnets, attraction of protons and electrons

Strong Nuclear Force

Strongest force, very short range, holds nuclei atoms (protons and neutrons) together

Nuclides

Atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons, also known as isotopes

Stable isotopes

Isotopes that do not decay. The forces in their nuclei keep them form breaking apart unless a great force disturbs them

Radioactive/Unstable Isotopes

Isotopes that randomly emit smaller subatomic particles and electromagnetic radiation from their nuclei called radioactivity

What causes an atom to be stable or unstable?

The interaction between the strong nuclear and electromagnetic forces within the atom. Generally speaking, the more protons an atom has, the more neutrons it needs to have for it to be stable

All elements with an atomic number larger than 83 are…

Unstable and radioactive

Alpha Decay

When the nucleus of a heavy, unstable isotope breaks down into an alpha particle and a smaller nucleus.

Alpha Particle

Two neutrons and two protons (helium nucleus), alpha particle movement can be stopped with a sheet of paper

Where do energy transformations take place during beta particle production?

Nucleus

Net Effect of Beta Particle Production

An electron is produced and a neutron is changed into a proton (electron anti-neutrino), mass stays the same but atomic number increases by one

Aluminum Foil

Can stop beta particle movement

Gamma Ray Production

Gamma rays are high energy photons that are often emitted when the nucleus of an unstable isotope goes through alpha or beta decay.

Lead

Can block gamma rays

Beta particle symbol

Alpha particle symbol

Gamma ray symbol

Positron symbol

What are the five types of decay?

Alpha decay, beta particle production, gamma ray reduction, positron emission, and electron capture

What do scientists use nuclear equations to express?

Radioactive decay, nuclear fission and fusion

Positron

An electron with positive charge

What does gamma ray production release?

Electromagnetic energy

Neutrino

Subatomic particle similar to an electron except no charge

What are the three types of neutrinos?

Electron, muon, and tau

Positron decay creates…

An electron neutrino

Anti-matter

Particles with opposite electrical charge of the normal particles

Anti-proton

Proton with negative charge