1. Radioactive Decay and Half Life of Isotopes

2. Radioactive decay Alpha, Beta and Gamma

3. Alpha Decay 2 protons and 2 neutrons Short range, maximum destruction Uranium 238 becomes Thorium

6. Beta Decay The emission of an electron or positron along with a neutrino. Has a greater range than an alpha particle Uses: Cancer treatment Carbon dating upto 60,000 years Cobalt 60 becomes Nickel

7. Gamma Decay High energy rays emitted from the nucleus Medical uses to destroy cancer cells Pasteurization of milk and spices Strengthening of materials Barium

9. Carbon dating - Carbon 14 becomes Nitrogen by Beta decay The radioactive half-life for a given radioisotope is the time for half the radioactive nuclei in any sample to undergo radioactive decayradioactive

11. Common Half Life Isotopes Carbon 14 - 5730 years - useful up to 60,000 years Uranium to Lead - useful for dating 10,000 to billions of years.

12. The Debate What could cause carbon dating to be inaccurate?