Answer to Question #161379 in Physics for John

Question

Produce a concise report to explain the main features of radioactive decay processes.

Consider the following points in your report.

 

• An explanation of the term” Isotope”

• Properties of the main types of radiation from decay processes (table required).

• Define the term half-life of a radioactive isotope

Answer 1

Isotope, one of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with the same atomic number and position in the periodic table and nearly identical chemical behaviour but with different atomic masses and physical properties. Every chemical element has one or more isotopes.

During radioactive decay, unstable atoms lose energy by emitting one of several types of radiation. The three main types of radiation are alpha, beta, and gamma.

Half-life, in radioactivity, the interval of time required for one-half of the atomic nuclei of a radioactive sample to decay (change spontaneously into other nuclear species by emitting particles and energy), or, equivalently, the time interval required for the number of disintegrations per second of a radioactive material to decrease by one-half.