Radiation Primer

“Electron Capture”

p + e- n + gamma ray ()

Gamma () Radiation

54Mn + e- 54Cr +

Extra Proton

p = ___n = ___

p = ___n = ___

DO THE MATH …

Gamma () Radiation

Gamma rays from cobalt-90 can pass through metals, and show

what’s inside — like the two stowaways in this truck.

60Co 60Ni + e- () + 2

Or, multiple beams can be focused on a tumor to kill it.

I’m a stowaway. I think I’ll just stand here a

while.

“Beta Decay”

n p + e- (beta particle )

Beta () Radiation

14C 14N + e-

Extra Neutron

p = ___n = ___

p = ___n = ___

DO THE MATH …

Soviet-era lighthouses used heat from radioactive strontium-90 to make electricity. Two hunters found a scrapped generator and slept near it for warmth. They died a couple of days later.

90Sr 90Y + e- ()

Beta () Radiation

Measure amount of beta radiation passing through material to measure thickness of

material.

Beta () Radiation

“Alpha Decay”

2n + 2p 4He (alpha particle )

Alpha () Radiation

226Ra 222Rn + 4He (alpha )

Extra Stuff

p = ___n = ___

p = ___n = ___

DO THE MATH …

p = ___n = ___

Former spy and Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko was murdered by putting Polonium-

210 in his tea.

210Po 206Pb + 4He ()

Cigarettes can kill you with 210Po, too.

Alpha () Radiation

Background Radiation

= 3.6 mSv

80% is from natural sources !

Radon Levels

www.epa.gov/radon

Ashland 9.3 pCi/LMedina 3.6Lorain 4.7

Oklo “Reactor” (Gabon, Africa)

Enough uranium 2 billion years ago to allow natural nuclear fission reaction.

Uranium (1) dissolved & concentrated by groundwater.

Water acted like neutron target, but boiled off every 150 min. Cycle repeated for 100,000 years.

Rocks now look like used nuclear fuel.

Neon Isotope Half-LifeSTABLE

Too Man

y!Too Few!

JUST RIGHT !!!

Neon Isotope Half-LifeSTABLE

Too Man

y!

JUST RIGHT !!!What’s an

unbalanced isotope

gonna do?Too Few!

Turn some protons into

neutrons

Turn some neutrons

into protons

Neon Isotope Half-LifeSTABLE

Too Man

y!Too Few!

JUST RIGHT !!!

Too big? Lose some of BOTH