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Atomic Structure, Radioactivity and Half Life - Coggle Diagram
Atomic Structure, Radioactivity and Half Life
Electrons can absorb electromagnetic radiation. This excites the electron and can cause it to "jump" to a higher energy level. It can then release this energy as an electromagnetic wave by falling back to its original energy level.
Isotopes are elements with different atomic masses. The number of protons can not change or it would not be the same element so an isotope is an element with different numbers of neutrons.
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Radioactive Decay
Activity = rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays, measured in becquerels (Bq).
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There are three types of radioactive decay, alpha, beta and gamma. All come the nucleus of the atom. In the example below, only the nucleus is shown.
Alpha consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons emitted from the nucleus. They have a positive charge as they contain 2 protons.
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Beta consist of an electron emitted from the nucleus. This results from a neutron splitting into a proton and an electron. Beta particles are negatively charged.
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Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus. Gamma radiation has no mass and no electrical charge.
Electromagnetic and has no charge, it is the least ionising.
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Nuclear Equations
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Beta Emission
Nucleus loses an electron which is produced when a neutron turns into a proton. So mass stays the same but atomic number of the product increases by 1.
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Gamma Emission
No particles are emitted so there is no change to the nucleus. Atomic mass and atomic number stay the same.
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Background Radiation
Background radiation is the constant, low level radiation in the environment. This can be natural radiation from rocks, building materials, cosmic rays. Radioactive pollution from nuclear testing, nuclear power and industrial/medical waste also contributes to background radiation.
Everyone receives background radiation but people who work or live in locations with high levels of radiation receive additional doses of radiation. Some nuclear workers, medical staff, military and industrial workers may have higher doses due to working with radioactive sources.
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