Radiation

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Types of radiation

Stable/unstable isotopes: Unstable if the atomic number is greater than 83 or if the ratio of neutrons to protons places it outside the zone of stability (1:1.3 – 1:1.5).

Alpha: Ionizing radiation emitted by some substances undergoing radioactive decay. It is in fact a helium nucleus with a +2 charge. It is formed when the ratio of neutrons to protons in the nucleus is too low which causes the element to be in an unstable energy state.

Alpha radiation is unable to penetrate paper as shown in the diagram. Despite their inability to cause damage from outside the body, if ingested they are able to ionise the particles within the body as it has a positive charge.

Likewise with alpha particles being unable to penetrate through paper or human skin they cannot travel more than a few inches through air from the source.

Examples of alpha emitters are uranium, radium

U ---- > He + Th Uranium ---- > Helium + Thorium

Ra ---- > He + Rn Raidum ----- > Helium + Radon

Beta: Is also an ionizing radiation which is an electron with a charge of -1. This release occurs when there are too many neutrons in the nucleus again causing the atom to become unstable. In this case a neutron is broken up into a proton and an electron. The proton stays within the nucleus while the electron is emitted as radiation.

As shown in the diagram beta particles can penetrate through the paper but not human skin again needing ingestion or access through a cut in the skin to be harmful. They are able to travel further than Alpha particles but only up to a few meters in air.

n ----- > p + e

Co ----- > Ni + e

C ----- > N + ...

... middle of paper ...

...p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transuranium_element

http://www.easychem.com.au/production-of-materials/nuclear-methods/transuranic-elements

http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/nuclear_waste_types/nuclear_waste_types.html

http://hsc.csu.edu.au/chemistry/core/identification/chem925/925net.html#net4

http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/elements-116-118.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope_separation

http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf56.html

http://www.clw.csiro.au/services/isotope/

http://hsc.csu.edu.au/chemistry/core/identification/chem925/925net.html

http://scientist.hmarka.net/2011/02/znse-sensors-for-nucleonic-thickness-gauges/

http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/44/8/1362/F1.expansion.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geiger_counter

http://www.radiationsafety.wisc.edu/docs/lsc_guide.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californium#History

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