Radioactive Elements
Elements with high atomic number are quite unstable due to more number of neutrons which is responsible for instability of an element. These unstable elements have a tendency to decompose readily to form some small and stable nuclei. This decay is nothing but radioactivity. Let’s start with a simple question; ‘what is radioactive element and radioactivity’? We can define radioactivity as the decomposition process of higher element with the emission of radiations or small particles such as alpha rays, beta particles or gamma rays.
If unstable nuclei decompose spontaneously without any external in nature, the process is called as natural radioactivity while the decomposition with the impact of some external factor is called as induced or artificial process.
In heavier nuclei; the nucleus experiences the intense conflict between the two strongest forces in nature. Radioactive elements can emit alpha, beta, and gamma radiation as well as several other varieties of radioactive decay is also possible.
I like to share this Atomic Radii with you all through my article.
The rate of this decay is generally expressed in terms of Radioactive Half Life which is the time period for substance i n which half of the substance decompose; hence if we start with 10 gm of radioactive material and its half life is 1 day, than after one day, only 5 gm of substance will remain intact and rest of 5gm decomposed to radiations.
It’s an important term which is widely used in determination of Radioactive Pollution. The radioactive waste which is coming out from nuclear reactors is a major problem and required many Radioactive Waste Disposal methods which can be efficiently remove hazardous materials and reduce the impact of them.
During Alpha decay; radioactive substance decay to smaller nuclei with the emission of alpha rays which are nothing but helium nuclei with atomic mass of four and a charge of +2; can be represents as 2He4 or -particle.
Having problem with Radiation Detector Read my upcoming post, i will try to help you.
Due to emission of alpha particle; the mass number of the nucleus decreases by four units and the atomic number by two units. For example alpha decay of uranium-92 form Thorium-90 with one alpha particle.
238_92U → 4_2He + 234_90Th
In case of emission of Beta radiation; beta particles emitted which are stream of electrons, denoted as0-1e . Hence in beta emission; the mass number of the nucleus remains same but the atomic number increases by one unit. For example; beta emission from Thorium-90 forms Protactinium-91 with one beta particle.
234Th_90 → 0_-1e + 234_91Pa
The emission of gamma rays does not change mass number and atomic number of daughter nuclei; as gamma rays are high-energy photons with a very short wavelength.
If unstable nuclei decompose spontaneously without any external in nature, the process is called as natural radioactivity while the decomposition with the impact of some external factor is called as induced or artificial process.
In heavier nuclei; the nucleus experiences the intense conflict between the two strongest forces in nature. Radioactive elements can emit alpha, beta, and gamma radiation as well as several other varieties of radioactive decay is also possible.
I like to share this Atomic Radii with you all through my article.
The rate of this decay is generally expressed in terms of Radioactive Half Life which is the time period for substance i n which half of the substance decompose; hence if we start with 10 gm of radioactive material and its half life is 1 day, than after one day, only 5 gm of substance will remain intact and rest of 5gm decomposed to radiations.
It’s an important term which is widely used in determination of Radioactive Pollution. The radioactive waste which is coming out from nuclear reactors is a major problem and required many Radioactive Waste Disposal methods which can be efficiently remove hazardous materials and reduce the impact of them.
During Alpha decay; radioactive substance decay to smaller nuclei with the emission of alpha rays which are nothing but helium nuclei with atomic mass of four and a charge of +2; can be represents as 2He4 or -particle.
Having problem with Radiation Detector Read my upcoming post, i will try to help you.
Due to emission of alpha particle; the mass number of the nucleus decreases by four units and the atomic number by two units. For example alpha decay of uranium-92 form Thorium-90 with one alpha particle.
238_92U → 4_2He + 234_90Th
In case of emission of Beta radiation; beta particles emitted which are stream of electrons, denoted as0-1e . Hence in beta emission; the mass number of the nucleus remains same but the atomic number increases by one unit. For example; beta emission from Thorium-90 forms Protactinium-91 with one beta particle.
234Th_90 → 0_-1e + 234_91Pa
The emission of gamma rays does not change mass number and atomic number of daughter nuclei; as gamma rays are high-energy photons with a very short wavelength.