Radioactivity and Half-Life

Radioactivity and Half-Life
1
Radioactivity
• An unstable atomic nucleus
emits a form of radiation
(alpha, beta, or gamma) to
become stable.
• In other words, the nucleus
decays into a different atom.
2
Radioactivity
• Alpha Particle – Helium
nucleus
• Beta Particle – electron
• Gamma Ray – high-energy
photon
3
Half-Life
• Amount of time it takes for
one half of a sample of
radioactive atoms to decay
4
Medical Applications of Half-Life
Nuclide Half-Life Area of Body
I–131 8.1 days Thyroid
Fe–59 45.1 days Red Blood Cells
Sr–87 2.8 hours Bones
Tc–99 6.0 hours Heart
Na–24 14.8 hours Circulatory System
5
m = 1/2n mo n = t/to
2n = mo /m to = t/n
m = remaining mass
mo = original mass
n = number of half life (lives)
to = half life
t = time elapsed
6
Half-Life Calculation #1
• You have 400 mg of a radioisotope with a
half-life of 5 minutes. How much will be left
after 30 minutes?
• mo = 400mg to = 5mins t = 30mins
• n = t/ to n = 30mins/5mins n=6
• m = 1/2n mo
• m = 1/26 (400mg)
• m = 6.25 mg
7
Half-Life Calculation #2
• Suppose you have a 100 mg sample of Au-
191, which has a half-life of 3.4 hours.
How much will remain after 10.2 hours?
• mo = 100mg to = 3.4h t = 10.2h
• n = t/o n = 10.2h/3.4h n=3
• m = 1/2n mo
• m = 1/23 (100mg)
• m = 12.5 mg
8
Half-Life Calculation # 3
• Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope used in cancer
treatment. Co-60 has a half-life of 5 years. If a hospital
starts with a 1000 mg supply, how many mg will need to
be purchased after 10 years to replenish the original
supply?
• mo = 1000mg to = 5y t = 10y
• n = t/ to n = 10y/5y n = 2
• m = 1/2n mo
• m = 1/22 (1000mg)
• m = 250 mg
• m = 1000-250
• m = 750mg
9
• How many half-lives have passed if 255 g
of Co-60 remain from a sample of 8160 g?
• mo = 8160mg m = 255mg
• 2n = mo/m
• 2n = 8160mg/255mg
• 2n = 32
• 25 = 32
• n=5
10
• Suppose you have a sample containing 400
nuclei of a radioisotope. If only 25 nuclei
remain after one hour, what is the half-life of
the isotope?
• mo = 400nuclei m = 25 nuclei
• n = log2 mo/m
• n = log2 400/25
• n=4
• to = t/n
• to = (60min)/4
• to = 15mins 11
Homework. Solve for the following
1. What is the remaining mass of a 8000
g sample that undergoes four half-
lives?
2. What is the half-life of a radioisotope if
7/8 of the original sample decayed
after 24 hours?
12
Lesson 4 Applications and Implications
Did you know that
most radiation that we
encounter originate in nature?
It is in the ground where you
stand on, in the bricks and in
the building. Even air is slightly
radioactive. This natural
background radiation is
believed to be present before
we even know about it. It is
believed to be existing before
the human race existed.
How much radiation do
you receive when you undergo
chest x-ray? Is this amount of
radiation harmful to the tissue?
Read this!
The amount of ionizing radiation or ‘dose’ received by a person
is measured in terms of the energy absorbed in the body tissue and is
expressed in gray. One gray (Gy) is one joule deposited per kilogram of
mass. Equal exposure to different types of radiation expressed as gray
does not necessarily mean the same biological effects. For example,
one gray of alpha radiation will have greater effect than one gray of
beta radiation. The unit known as sievert (Sv) is used to express the
radiation effect as effective dose. Accordingly, 2-10 Sievert doses are
believed to cause severe radiation sickness and can be fatal.
Table 4.1. Effective dose in Sv and their
corresponding biological effects.
Do This Activity 4.1 Computing my effective dose
YOUR ANNUAL TOTAL
Cosmic radiation that reaches earth: 44
Because cosmic radiation is modified by the atmosphere
add 1 for every 100 feet above sea level ______
If your house is brick or concrete add 45 ______
stone add 50
wood add 35
Ground radiation 15
Water, food, air radiation 25
Nuclear weapons testing fallout 4
If you have had a chest x-ray this year add 9 for each one: ______
If you’ve had intestinal x-ray add 210 ______
For each 1500 miles you’ve flown in an airplane
during the year add 1: ______
If you live within 5 miles from a
nuclear plant add 0: ______
If you sleep with your spouse add 0.1: ______
TOTAL_____________
*Note: The unit in this computation is mSv. Check out table

4.1 if your annual dose is within the optimum range.
Although radiation is a
menace at high levels, radiation in
correct doses has many uses. Medical
and dental x-rays discern hidden
problems. Radiation is used to
diagnose ailments. Cancer patients are
treated with radiation.
Aside from its medical
applications, radiation can also be
used as a technique by archeologist to
establish the dates of wooden artifacts
and skeleton. This process is known as
carbon dating. The dating of older, but
non-living things like the planet earth
is done using uranium dating
technique. Further, nuclear reactions
can produce large amounts of energy
that could sustain life on earth for a
long time. We all benefit from a
multitude of products and services
made possible by the careful and
responsible use of radiation
Direction: Answer the following very briefly.
1. Cite at least 3 applications of radiation.

2. What is the probable reason why some
people think of radiation as a menace?
3. Differentiate carbon-dating and uranium-
dating.

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Radioactivity and Half-Life

*Note: The unit in this computation is mSv. Check out table

1. Cite at least 3 applications of radiation.

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