Notes 4-5 Radioactive Elements

Isotopes Atoms with same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons Example: Carbon-12 (normal carbon) versus Carbon-14 Some isotopes are unstable Nuclei break down in a process of radioactive decay, releasing particles and energy

Radioactivity Spontaneously emitting radiation Example: Uranium, Polonium, Radium There are 3 types of radioactive decay

Types of Radioactive Decay During alpha decay, a nucleus loses an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. * Decreases atomic # by 2, and mass # by 4

Types of Radioactive Decay During beta decay, a neutron inside an unstable nucleus changes into a negatively charged beta particle and a proton. * Atomic # stays same, mass # increases by 2

Types of Radioactive Decay Gamma radiation has no charge and does not cause a change in either the atomic mass or the atomic number.

Types of Radioactive Decay The three types of nuclear radiation were named based on how easily each one could be blocked. Alpha, beta, and gamma are the first three letters of the Greek alphabet.

Using Radioactive Isotopes Cancer treatment Chemical reactions Industrial processes Electricity Smoke detectors Pest control Rock/ fossil dating Food treatment Nuclear weapons

Risks of Radioactive Isotopes Burn causing Cancer causing Genetic mutations death

Review Use your periodic table to predict the element that forms in each case of radioactive decay: Isotope Type of Decay Element Formed Uranium-238 Alpha Nickel-63 Beta Iodine-131 Beta Radium-226 Alpha Thorium-234 Copper-63 Xenon-131 Radon-222