Physics 201

Arranged by:-Sharmake Abdullahi Mohamed

Radioactivity
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Chapter 1: RADIO-ACTIVITY
 Radio-activity is the disintegration of unstable nucleus with the emission of radiation.
STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM
 An atom consists of a small central nucleus which is in turn very small in size as compared to overall
size of the atom.
 The nucleus is composed of protons (positively
charged particles) and neutrons (no charge)
surrounded by electrons(negatively charged
particles) 
 An atom will always have the an equal number of
electrons and protons which makes the atom
electrically neutral

ATOMIC NUMBER AND MASS NUMBER

 Atomic number (proton number) is the number

of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
 Mass number (nucleon number) is the sum of
the nucleons.
Mass number = protons + neutrons 

EXERCISE
1. Define the term radioactivity?
2. Describe in details the composition of an atom?
3. What is the meaning of mass number?
4. What is atomic number?
5. Determine the number of protons and neutrons of the atoms indicated below?

ISOTOPES
o Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number (protons) but different
number of neutrons.
Examples of isotopes are chlorine (with two isotopes), Hydrogen (with three isotopes), and Carbon
(with three isotopes)

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 Physics 201
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Radioactivity
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Types of radioactivity
Activity What is meant by Isobars? And give examples?
 Radioactivity takes place into two ways namely:-
a. Natural radioactivity
o Natural radioactivity takes place spontaneously.
o It does not need to be initiated.
o All atoms with atomic numbers greater than 82 are naturally unstable and will undergo naturally
radioactive decay.
Examples of naturally radioactive nuclei are: -
i. Uranium 23892U
ii. Radium 226
88 Ra

iii. Thorium 22688Th

b. Artificial radioactivity
 This type of radioactivity is making the nucleus unstable.
 It’s done by bombarding stable nuclei with neutrons so as to cause it to disintegrate.
 Examples of artificial radioactive elements are:-
i. Carbon 14 146C
ii. Sulphur 35 35
16 S

22 Nuclear
iii. Nitrogen 22 7 N Fission

TYPES OF RADIATIONS
 Whenever an unstable nucleus disintegrates it emits one or more of these radiations.
a. ALPHA RADIATION α ()
o These consist of two neutrons and two protons bond together.
o They are represented by helium symbol42He .
+
o Alpha particles are positively charged (He ).
Details
 When an atom emits an alpha radiation, a new atom is formed.
 The atomic number of the new atom is lowered by two units and while the mass number is lower by
four units
 The emission of alpha radiation is represented as
A
z X A −4
z−2 X + 4
2 He
Example1.
The decay of Uranium -238?
238
92 U 234
90 Th + 4
2 He

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 Physics 201
Arranged by:-Sharmake Abdullahi Mohamed
Radioactivity
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Test 1
Complete the following emissions of alpha particle.
a. 233
91 Pa ………………….. + …………………
232
b. 90 Th ………………….. + …………………
c. Pu 239
94 ………………….. + ………………
d. Uranium 238
92 U emits an alpha particle to become another element X as shown in the equation.
238 A
U
92 Z X + Alpha particle

i. Give the value of A and Z? A…………………Z…………….

ii. Name element X? ………………………………………….

b. BETA RADIATION ( β )
o Beta particles are fast moving electrons that are negatively charged.
o A beta particle has very little mass compared to the alpha particles.
o When a beta particle is emitted a new atom is formed.
o The atomic number of the new atom increases by one and the atomic mass remains constant.
o The emission of beta radiation is represented as:-
A
z X A
z+1 X + 0
−1 β

Example1.

a. 228
88 Ra 228
91 Pa + 0
−1 β

b. 212
82 Pb 212
83 Bi + 0
−1 β
Example2.
Show the equation for Sodium-25 (Na), atomic number 11, decaying by beta emission to Magnesium
(Mg).
25
11 Na 25
12 Mg + 0
−1 β
c. GAMMA RAYS (γ )
 Gamma rays are not particles. They are waves that are similar to X-rays.
 They have a lot of energy and can penetrate matter.

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Physics 201
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Radioactivity
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Summary
Property α (alpha particle) β(beta particles) γ (gamma rays)
1. Shape

2. Nature Are doubly Electrons moving High frequency

charged particles with high velocity electromagnetic waves
3. Mass 6.64x10-27kg 9.016x10-31kg Neutral
4. Velocity 1.4 to 2.3x107m/s 1.1 to 2.96x108m/s 3x108m/s
5. Nature of charge Positive Negative Nil
6. Amount of charge +3.2x10-19C -1.6x10-19C Nil
7. Effect of magnetic Slightly deflected Deflected more than Not deflected
field α and opposite in
direction to alpha
8. Effect of current Deflected towards Deflected towards Not deflected
negative plate positive plate
9. Penetrating Low Middle High
power
10. Ionization power High (strong) Middle (weak) None

Radioactive detectors

 G-M tube
 Photographic film

Deflection and penetrating power of radiations

 DEFLECTION IN ELECTRIC field

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Radioactivity
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An electric field is the region between positive and

negative charge.
 Alpha particles are positively charged so they are
attracted towards the negative plate of the electric field.
They are deflected slightly because of their large mass.
 Beta particles are negatively charged and are deflected
towards the positive plate of the electric field.
The deflection is more since they have less mass compared to the alpha particles.
 Gamma rays have no charge or mass, they are not
deflected in both magnetic and electric field.
Penetrating power
The below figure shows the penetrating power of the three
radiation

HALF-LIFE
Half life is: The time it takes for the number of nuclei of the radioactive isotope in a sample to halve.

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Radioactivity
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In other words the time it takes for the count rate of a given sample containing the isotope to fall to half
its starting level
Different radioactive isotopes have different half-lives. For example, the half-life of carbon-14 is 5,715
years, but the half-life of francium-223 is just 20 minutes

The count rate drops from 80 to 40 counts a minute in two days, so the half-life is two days. In the next
two days, it drops from 40 to 20 - it halves. In the two days after that, it drops from 20 to 10 - it halves
again - and so on.
Equation of half life
N t =N o ¿

Nt = amount of radioisotope remaining

No = original amount of radioisotope
t = half life of the sample
T= given time of process

Examples
1. A radioactive sample has initial count rate of 800BQ with half-life of 12yrs. What count rate will
remain after 60yrs later?
2. Hydrogen-3 or tritium as it is commonly called has a half-life of 12 years. If you start with 20 grams
of it, how much will remain after 36 years?
3. Your teacher gives you a practical exercise to measure a sample of phosphorus-32
(half-life = 14days). You forget to do about this exercise until 42 days later; you measure its mass to be
8.75 grams.
What was the mass of phosphorus-32 before, when you were supposed to do the exercise?
4. A radioactive Nucleus X decays. What fraction of the original nucleus will remain after 3 half-lives?
5. The activity of original sample of radioactive material was 60c/s. after 84 days the remaining sample
has an activity of 3.75C/s. what was the half-life the sample?

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Radioactivity
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6. A sample of 360g isotope with half-life 8yrs is supposed to decay. For how long will it take reduce to
45g?

Carbon-dating (optional)
7. A 10 g of living wood has carbon-12 of an activity 20C/s (after deducting background radiation). A
10g sample of ancient wood from an archaeological site is found to have carbon-14 of an activity of 5C/s.

Calculate the age of the wood?

(carbon-14 has a half-life of 5730 years)

8. A Living organism has carbon-12 of an activity 60Bq (after deducting background radiation). Sample
of deadly organism is found to have an activity of 12Bq

Estimate the age of the dead organism (carbon-14

has a half-life of 5730 years).

NUCLEAR FISSION & NUCLEAR FUSION

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 Physics 201
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Radioactivity
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Nuclear Fission
 A process by which a heavier nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei

 Nuclear fission releases more neutrons which causes more fission reactions (chain
reactions)
Examples
1.

2.

Nuclear Fusion
 A process by which two lighter nuclei combine (fuse) together to form another heavier
nucleus.
Examples

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 Physics 201
Arranged by:-Sharmake Abdullahi Mohamed
Radioactivity
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APPLICATION OF NUCLEAR RADIATIONS

Radiations from radioactive substance can be used in several different ways such as:

1) As a thickness control:
If a radio isotope is placed on one side of the
moving sheet of material and GM tube on the
other the count-rate decreases if the thickness
increases.
This technique is used to control the thickness of
paper, plastic and metal sheets during
manufacture.

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 Physics 201
Arranged by:-Sharmake Abdullahi Mohamed
Radioactivity
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EXERCISE OF RADIOACTIVITY
1. Complete the sentence
a. Use the word list below to complete the sentence.

Electron nuclei protons waves

I. Radioactive substance have atoms with unstable ____________________

II. Beta particles are_________________________
III. Gamma rays are__________________________
b. Name the other type of radioactive particle not mentioned in part in a)?
________________________________________________

2. The symbol 35 17 Cl represents one atom of chlorine.

a. State the names and numbers of different types of particle found in one of these chlorine atoms?
I. ……………………………………………
II. ……………………………………………
III. ……………………………………………..
b. State where these particles are to be found in the atom?
I. ………………………………………………………
II. ………………………………………………………
III. ………………………………………………………
a) Phosphorus -32 is a beta emitter with half-life of 14 days.
(i) What is beta particle?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………….
(ii) The atomic number of Phosphorus -32 is 15. State the new values of atomic number and mass
numbers of the atom just after it has emitted beta particle?
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................
(iii) Explain what is meant by half-life?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………
3. The below diagram shows the penetrating power of the three radiations.
Which radiation is?
a. Alpha ………….
b. Beta ……………
c. Gamma …………...

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Physics 201
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Radioactivity
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Assignment

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 Physics 201
Arranged by:-Sharmake Abdullahi Mohamed
Radioactivity
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Part one: Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the meaning of radioactive decay?

a.Dead plants and animals become broken down into the soil c. Bad smells given decaying plants
b. Bright lights given off decaying plants d. A change in a nucleus to make it
stable

2. Isotopes are:-
a.Always radioactive substances c. Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons
b. Never radioactive substances d. Atoms of the same element with different numbers of protons

3. The three common types of radiations are:-

a.Alpha, Beta and Gamma c. Alpha, delta, and Gamma
b. Alpha, Beta, and Delta d. Hot, cold, and energetic

4. A neutral atom has five protons. How many electrons does it contain if it is not an ion?
A. 4 C. 5
B. 10 D. 1

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5. What is an atom called which has lost an electron?
A. Ion b. Baryon c. Quark d. Oxygen

6. What is an atom?
A. An atom is made up of an electron
B. An atom is a particle consisting of a small central nucleus containing protons and neutrons surrounded by
electrons
C. An atom is made up of molecules such as H2O
D. An atom is a particle consisting of a small central nucleus containing neutrons and electrons surrounded
by protons

7. What does an atom's atomic number represent?

A. The number of particles within an atom in its nucleus C. The number of neutrons in an atom in its
nucleus
B. The number of protons in an atom in its nucleus D. The number of electrons in an atom in its
nucleus

8. Atoms of an element always have the same number of protons but can have a
different number of what?
A. Atomic numbers B. Electron masses C. Proton masses D. Neutrons

9. If an atom has 3 electrons and has a neutral charge, how many protons does it contain?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

10. The nucleus of a nitrogen atom can be represented as 7 N .

14

The nucleus of this atom consists of

A. 14 protons and 7 neutrons. C. 14 protons and 7 electrons
B. 7 protons and 7 neutrons D. 7 protons and 7 electrons
11. Three nuclei P, Q and R have proton numbers (atomic numbers) and nucleon numbers (mass
51 radio
numbers) as shown.
93
43 P ,
94
43 Q, 94
44 R  
Which nuclei are isotopes of the same element?
A. Q and R only
B. P and Q only
C. P, Q and R
D. P and R only

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12. The ionization in air caused by three different radiations X, Y and Z are as follows:
Radiation Ions produced per mm of path
X Most ionizing
Y Lowest
Z Middle
Which of the following correctly
A. X: Alpha particles, Y: Beta particles, Z: Gamma rays
B. X: Beta particles, Y: Alpha particles, Z: Gamma rays
C. X: Alpha particles, Y: Gamma rays, Z: Beta particles
D. X: Gamma rays, Y: Beta particles, Z: Alpha particles
107 radio

13. The diagram shows how the thickness of paper is measured during a manufacturing process.
If the sheet is too thick, fewer beta-particles can reach the detector.

A source of alpha-particles is not used for this purpose because alpha-particles?

A. Are all stopped by the paper. C. Make the paper radioactive.
B. Are too dangerous to those working nearby. D. Have a short half-life.
48 radio

14. The table shows the possible properties of radioactive emissions.

Which emission could be a beta-particle?
Emission Charged Deflection in magnetic Level of
field ionization
Radiation 1 No Yes None
Radiation 2 Yes Yes None
Radiation 3 Yes Yes Weak
Radiation 4 Yes No Weak
A. Radiation 3 B. Radiation 1 C. Radiation 4 D. Radiation 2
210
15. What nucleus is formed as a result of the α-decay of Po?
84
210 214 214 206
A. 85 At B. 84 Po C. Rn
86 D. Pb 82 E. 21280Hg
16. What nucleus is formed as a result of the β-minus decay of 5524Cr?
A. 5425Mn B. 5525Mn C. 5524Cr D. 5523V E. 5423V

17. Beta (β−) particles are:

A. Negatively charged B. Neutral in charge C. Positively charged D. Non-existent in
nature

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18. Which one of the rows best describes the correct explanation of alpha, beta and gamma

Alpha Beta Gamma

A. particle which has one neutrons A high energy proton Neutron
and one protons
B. Proton High energy electron Electron
C. particle which has two neutrons An electron A form of electromagnetic radiation
and two protons
D. Electron Two protons and two Proton
neutrons

19. Which type of radiation would be blocked by a thin sheet of paper?

a. Alpha b. Beta c. Gamma d. None of the above

20. Which type of radiation would be blocked by a thin sheet of Aluminium - but not by
paper?
a. Alpha b. Beta c. Gamma d. They all get blocked

21. an alpha particle is:-

a. First particle b. Last particle c. The only red particle d. The helium nucleus

22. Which type of radiation would be blocked by several centimeters of lead - but not by a
thin sheet of aluminum or paper?
a. Alpha b. Beta c. Gamma d. Beta and Gamma

23. When an alpha particle is emitted, the mass number:-

a. Gets bigger b. Gets heavier c. Goes down by 2 d. Goes down by 4

24. What types of radiation can be deflected by electric and magnetic fields?
a. Alpha b. Alpha and Beta c. Alpha and Gamma d. Beta and Gamma

25. A beta particle is:-

a. A proton b. An electron c. A neutron d. A radion

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 Part two short answer Questions
4. Complete the sentence
c. Use the word list below to complete the sentence.

Electron nuclei protons waves

IV. Radioactive substance have atoms with unstable ____________________

V. Beta particles are_________________________
VI. Gamma rays are__________________________
d. Name the other type of radioactive particle not mentioned in part in a)? …………………

5. The symbol 35
17 Cl represents one atom of chlorine.

c. State the names and numbers of different types of particle found in one of these chlorine
atoms?
(i) …………………………………………………………………………………………..
(ii) …………………………………………………………………………………………..
(iii) ……………………………………………………………………………………
……
d. State where these particles are to be found in the atom?
(i) …………………………………………………………………………………………..
(ii) …………………………………………………………………………………………..
(iii) ……………………………………………………………………………………
……

6. The below diagram shows the penetrating power of the three radiations.
Which radiation is?
d. Alpha ………….
e. Beta ……………
f. Gamma …………...

5. Determine the values of p and q and identify y.

a)
218
84 Po → 218 p
85 At + qY p:_____ q:______ Y:______

b)
14
6 C→ 14
7 N + pqY p:_____ q:______ Y:______

c)
238
92 U→ p
q Ra + alpha p:_____ q:______
12. Complete the following emissions of alpha particle.
e. 23391Pa

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f. 232
90 Th

g. 239
94 Pu

a) Uranium 238
92U emits an alpha particle to become another element X as shown in the equation
below
238 A
92U Z X + Alpha particle
Give the value of A and Z?
A……………………………..Z………………………………………..
b) 90Th
232
Z X + 2α
A 4

I. What type of radiation is being emitted

……………………………………………………….
II. What are the values of A and Z?
………………………………………………………….
III. Use the periodic table below to decide what new element is formed by decay process?

IV. Rewrite the equation, replacing A, Z and X with the numbers and symbols you have
found?

………………………………………………………………………………………

V. What are decay products?

………………………………………………………………………………………

13. Complete the following by emitting beta particle

d. 22888Ra

e. 212
82 Pb

a) 25
11 Na

b) 146C

c) 131
53 I

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14. State whether each of the following is an example of fusion or fission?

A. 10n + 235
92 n 236
92U
141
56 Br + 92
36 kr + 3 10n ……………………
B. 73 Li + 1
1 H 8
4 Be 4
2 H e +42He …………………….
C. 10n + 235
92 U 236
92 U 90
37 Rb + 143
Cs
55 + 3 10n ……………………..

D. 10n + 235
92U 236
92 U 90
38 Sr + 143
54 Cs + 310n ……………………..
15. A) Name the three radiations emitted by the radioactive materials?
1. ………………………………………………..
2. …………………………………………………
3. …………………………………………………
B) The figure below shows the penetrating power of radiation through the human body.

Which radiation
I. Has the most penetrating power? …………………………….
II. Has the lowest speed? …………………………….
III. Has the highest speed? ……………………………
IV. is most massive? …………………………….
C) When radioactive sodium-24 decays to form magnesium-24 the equation below represents
part of the decay process.
11 Na 12 Mg +¿…………..
24 24

Assuming that only one charged particle is emitted:-

I. What is the mass number of this particle? ………………………………………
II. What is the relative charge of this particle? ……………………………………..
III. What type of particle is it? ………………………………………

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 16. The diagram below shows the radioactive material given of radiations

a) Name each radiation?

R1…………………………………………………………………………

R2…………………………………………………………………………

R3…………………………………………………………………………

b) Which of the above radiations

I. Has most ionization power ………………………………………………
II. Is an electromagnetic wave……………………………………………
III. Has the most penetrating power…………………………………
c) Show the radioactive decay of:-
a) Technetium¿) by loss of alpha particle? …………………………………

b) Thorium¿) by loss of alpha particle? ……………………………………

c) Strontium¿) by releasing of beta particle? ……………… …………………

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 17. The graph shows the decay curve of a radioactive sample which has a short half-life.

i. What is meant by half-life?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii. What is the half-life of this radioactive sample? ………………………………..
iii. What is the drop in activity over the first 30 hrs? ………………………………..
iv. What time will the sample reduce to 100 counts per minute? ………………………
v. Define the following terms
a) Radioactivity
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………..………….
……………………………….……
b) Isotope and (give one example)?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
…......................................................................................................................................
........................
18. A radioactive sample has initial count rate of 800g with half-life of 16yrs. What
count rate will after 112yrs later?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………….…………

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Question Seven (Radioactivity 10 marks)
A. Fill in the spaces using each of the following words once, more than once
or not at all:

Half life, Mass, Nuclear fission, Protons, Electrons

neutrons, Nuclear fusion, negatively, and positively

i) Isotopes have the same number of ……………… but a different

number of ……..……... (2marks)
ii) An alpha particle is…………………….. Charged particle. (1 mark)

iii) When a heavy nucleus breaks up to form two lighter ones it’s said be
…………………………………………………………………………….……… (1mark)

iv) A beta particle is …………………………charged particle.

v) The number of …………………… are equal to the number of protons in neutral
atom. (1mark)
B. If the half-life of 200 grams of a radioactive isotope is 8 years, how many grams will
remain in 32 years?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………(4marks)

End

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