Topic 5.1- Radioactivity
Background radiation-the small amount of radiation around us all the time because of radioactive materials in the environment. It mainly comes from natural sources such as soil, rocks, air, building materials, food and drink – and even space.Radioactivity detection- Geiger-Muller tube (G.M. tube) Â
Radioactive Decay
Alpha decay-Â two proton and two neutron left
Beta decay– Gain proton
Gamma emission– No change of proton and nucleon number
Half life
time taken for half the nuclei present in any given sample to decay. Some nuclei are more stable than others.
Safety Precaution
-radioactive stuff is stored in a lead container, in a locked cabinet-picked up withtongs, not your feet-kept away from the body, not pointed at people
-left out of its container for as short a time as possible
