Radioactive decay

 

 

Objectives:

• Know that radioactive decay causes changes to the nucleus • Be able to describe these changes for alpha and beta decay • Be able to complete decay equations to show alpha and beta decay

 

 

 

Task 1 - Starter / Recap

Remind the person next to you:

          ▪ The three types of nuclear radiation.

          ▪ What each type of radiation is?

          ▪ What will stop or reduce each type of radiation.

          ▪ Three sources of background radiation.

 

 

 

 

Task 2

Look at the simulations below, which show you what happens when alpha and beta particles are emitted from unstable nuclei.

Alpha Decay	Beta Decay
Click to Run	Click to Run

You can also look at this powerpoint presentation which shows radioactive decay.

 

 

 

 

Task 3

Complete the sentences below:

1.) The three types of radioactive decay are _________ , ________and ________.   2.) Atomic nuclei decay because they are _____________.   3.) ___________ decay involves a loss of two __________ and two ___________.   4.) ________ decay involves a ________ splitting to form a proton and an _________.   5.) The ____________ is ejected from the nucleus as a ________ particle.   6.) __________ decay involves the nucleus losing energy by emitting an ______________ wave.

 

 

Task 4 - Decay chains

Radioactive decay causes changes to the nucleus.  In the case of alpha and beta decay we are left with a nucleus of a different element.  Your teacher will show the equations which describe the decay of several isotopes.  Use your knowledge of radioactive decay and a copy of the periodic table to help the class work out the products of the decay!

1. Uranium-230, which decays by emitting an alpha particle.

2. Hydrogen-3 ("Tritium"), which decays by emitting a beta particle.

Now try to complete the decay equations for each of the isotopes on the sheet.

Homework/Extension

A