Chem L1
Chem L1
Chem L1
Radioactivity and
Nuclear Energy
LESSON 1
•Recall that
isotopes are atoms of the same element
whose nuclei contain different numbers of neutrons.
TERMS AND SYMBOLS
•Most naturally occurring isotopes contain stable nuclei.
Some of the isotopes contain unstable nuclei that
undergo spontaneous emission of radiation.
•Unstable nuclei are referred to as
radioactive
isotopes ,radioisotopes, or radionuclides.
•Theparticles that make up the nucleus--- the protons
and neutrons--- are called nucleons. Hence, the mass
number is the total mass of nucleons in the nucleus.
TERMS AND SYMBOLS
• Different types of symbols are used in nuclear chemistry.
For example:
oBeta – β-
oPositron –β+
oNeutron – n10
oProton or hydrogen nucleus – H11
oNeutrino ( little neutral one ) - v ( no mass, no charge, ½
spin )
TERMS AND SYMBOLS
•To indicate isotopes, the mass number is often included
in the names of elements. For example:
oDeuterium often called hydrogen 2
oTritium called hydrogen 3
oStable carbon often called carbon 12
oUnstable carbon often called carbon 14
ASSESSMENT 1
1. Why is radioactivity so dangerous ?
2. Which is the most dangerous type of radiation ? Site at
least 3 examples of situation that it is dangerous to our
daily lives.
3. Compare and contrast the ionizing radiation and non-
ionizing radiation
4. What are the pieces of evidence of the radioactive
nature of matter?
5. Give the contribution of the following scientist in the
field of radioactivity.
a. Wilhelm Roentgen
b. Antonie Henri Becquerel
c. Marie Curie