1. What is it? Where does it come from?
Radiation
What is it?
Where does it come from?

2. Radiation discovered
Henri Becquerel discovered an invisible, penetrating radiation emitted spontaneously by Uranium.
Pierre and Marie Curie discovered two other elements that emitted similar radiations. Polonium and Radium. Called the phenomenon "radioactivity".
Now defined as the emission of electromagnetic radiation and/or particles from unstable nuclei

3. So, it is the unstable nucleus of an atom falling apart
The bigger the nucleus, the greater the chance it will fall apart, which brings us to nuclear chemistry

4. Nuclear Stability
Not all combinations of protons and neutrons are stable.
To determine stability N/Z is examined, where N = neutrons and Z = protons.
For small atomic numbers, the atom is stable if N/Z=1
For larger atomic numbers, the atom is stable if N/Z is closer to 1.5

5. Yellow area is stable.
Are these stable?

6. So, since some nuclei are unstable, they will fall apart
This leads to radioactive decay
By emitting particles and/or energy, the nucleus can stabilize itself

7. Four main types of radiation
Alpha radiation- does not penetrate the skin, emits positive charge (Helium nucleus), weakest type of radiation
Beta radiation -penetrates the skin, emits negative charge(fast moving electron)
Positron – penetrates the skin, it is the antiparticle of the electron
Gamma radiation- emits high energy, penetrates the skin fully

8. These particles can either be captured or emitted
If they are absorbed by the reactants, they are captured
In other words, if they appear on the left side of the equation
If they are given off the reactants, they are emitted
In other words, if they appear on the right side of the equation

9. Youtube Video