Basic Nuclear Physics - 3 Modes of Radioactive Decay and Types of Radiation
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phooolBasic Nuclear Physics - 3 Modes of Radioactive Decay and Types of Radiation
Uploaded by
phooolBasic Nuclear Physics - 3
Modes of Radioactive Decay
and Types of Radiation
IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency
Day 1 Lecture 3
Objective
To understands modes of radioactive
disintegration and types of radiation
To learn about basic atomic structure;
alpha, beta, and gamma decay; positron
emission; differences between gamma rays
and x-rays; orbital electron capture; and
internal conversion
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Content
Basic atomic structure and isotopes
Alpha, beta, and gamma decay
Decay spectra
Differences between gamma rays and x-rays
Positron emission
Orbital electron capture
Internal conversion
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Atomic Structure
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proton
neutron
electron
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Atomic Number (Z)
Hydrogen
Carbon
Cobalt
Selenium
Iridium
Uranium
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1
6
27
34
77
92
Isotopes
An isotope of an element has:
the same number of protons
a different number of neutrons
1H
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2H
3H
Isotopes
The number of protons
determines the element.
Elements with the same
number of protons but
different numbers of
neutrons are called
isotopes. Some isotopes
are radioactive.
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Radioactive Decay
Spontaneous changes in the nucleus of an
unstable atom
Results in formation of new elements
Accompanied by a release of energy, either
particulate or electromagnetic or both
Nuclear instability is related to whether the
neutron to proton ratio is too high or too low
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The Line of Stability
N>Z
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Alpha Emission
Emission of a highly energetic helium nucleus
from the nucleus of a radioactive atom
Occurs when neutron to proton ratio is too
low
Results in a decay product whose atomic
number is 2 less than the parent and whose
atomic mass is 4 less than the parent
Alpha particles are monoenergetic
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Alpha Particle Decay
Alpha particle
charge +2
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Alpha Particle Decay
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Alpha Decay Example
Ra decays by alpha emission
226
When 226Ra decays, the atomic mass decreases
by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2
The atomic number defines the element, so the
element changes from radium to radon
Ra
226
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Rn + 4He
2
222
86
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Beta Emission
Emission of an electron from the nucleus
of a radioactive atom ( n p+ + e-1 )
Occurs when neutron to proton ratio is too
high (i.e., a surplus of neutrons)
Beta particles are emitted with a whole
spectrum of energies (unlike alpha
particles)
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Beta Particle Decay
Beta particle
charge -1
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Beta Particle Decay
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Beta Decay of 99Mo
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Beta Spectrum
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Rule of Thumb
Average energy of a beta spectrum is about
one-third of its maximum energy or:
Eav =
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1 E
max
3
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Positron (Beta+) Emission
Occurs when neutron to proton ratio is
too low ( p+ n + e+ )
Emits a positron (beta particle whose
charge is positive)
Results in emission of 2 gamma rays
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Positron (Beta+) Emission
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Positron Decay
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Positron Decay
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Positron Decay
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Positron Annihilation
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Orbital Electron Capture
Also called K Capture
Occurs when neutron to proton ratio is too
low
Form of decay competing with positron
emission
One of the orbital electrons is captured by
the nucleus: e-1 + p+1 n
Results in emission of characteristic x-rays
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Orbital Electron Capture
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Orbital Electron Capture
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Ionization
ionized
atom
+1
ejected
electron
-1
radiation
path
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X-Ray Production
electron fills
vacancy
electron
ejected
characteristic
x-rays
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Electromagnetic Spectrum
x- and -rays
Ultraviolet
Visible
Infrared
Increase in wavelength : decrease in frequency and energy
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Gamma Ray Emission
Monoenergetic radiations emitted from
nucleus of an excited atom following
radioactive decay
Rid nucleus of excess energy
Have characteristic energies which can be
used to identify the radionuclide
Excited forms of radionuclides often
referred to as metastable, e.g., 99mTc.
Also called isomers
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Gamma Ray Emission
Gamma Radiation
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Gamma Ray Emission
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Photon Emission
Difference
Between
X-Rays and
Gamma Rays
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Internal Conversion
Alternative process by which excited
nucleus of a gamma emitting isotope rids
itself of excitation energy
The nucleus emits a gamma ray which
interacts with an orbital electron, ejecting
the electron from the atom
Characteristic x-rays are emitted as outer
orbital electrons fill the vacancies left by the
conversion electrons
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Internal Conversion
These characteristic x-rays can themselves
be absorbed by orbital electrons, ejecting
them.
These ejected electrons are called Auger
electrons and have very little kinetic energy
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Internal Conversion
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Summary of Radioactive Decay Mechanisms
Decay
Mode
Characteristics
of Parent
Radionuclide
Change in
Atomic Number
(Z)
Change in
Atomic
Mass
Comments
Alpha
Neutron Poor
-2
-4
Alphas Monoenergetic
Beta
Neutron Rich
+1
Beta Energy Spectrum
Positron
Neutron Poor
-1
Positron Energy Spectrum
Electron
Capture
Neutron Poor
-1
K-Capture; Characteristic
X-rays Emitted
Gamma
Excited
Energy State
None
None
Gammas Monoenergetic
Internal
Conversion
Excited
Energy State
None
Ejects Orbital Electrons;
characteristic x-rays and
Auger electrons emitted
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None
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Summary
Basic atomic structure was described
Isotopes were defined
Modes of radioactive disintegration were
discussed (including alpha, beta, gamma,
positron emission, orbital electron capture,
and internal conversion)
Ionization was defined
X-ray production and the differences
between gamma rays and x-rays were
described
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Where to Get More Information
Cember, H., Johnson, T. E, Introduction to
Health Physics, 4th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New
York (2009)
International Atomic Energy Agency,
Postgraduate Educational Course in Radiation
Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources
(PGEC), Training Course Series 18, IAEA,
Vienna (2002)
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