Radioactive elements decay in one of three ways:
A nucleus can eject 2 protons+2 neutrons (an alpha particle) and transform into a less massive element [alpha decay]
A neutron can turn into a proton+electron. The electron leaves [beta decay] and the atomic number goes up by 1.
Fission -- the nucleus splits into two new (smaller) atoms.
Gamma rays (neutrally charged) can also be emitted from various radioactive
elements.
The different particles can penetrate materials
with different effectiveness.
Bettelheim et al.
Back
Next
Back to Lecture 6 outline
Back to main lectures page
Back to main course page