Chapter 6 Nuclear Energy

6.1 Radioactive substances

Learning Outcomes
State Give

what is radioactive substances

the examples of radioactive Substances

Explain State

the process of radioactive decay

the uses of radioactive substances

6.1 Radioactive Substance

Radioactive

substances has unstable nuclei, and will decay to transform to more stable nucleus. isotopes are radioisotopes

Unstable

Radioactive

substance are known as radioisotopes

Radioactive Decay
When the radioactive nuclei break-up or decay, 3 types of radioactive particle or radiation is emitted;
i) ii) iii)

Alpha()-Positive charge Beta()-Negative charge Gamma()-Neutral

Spontaneous process

Types of Radiation

(a)Nature (b)Charge

Alpha() radiation Helium nucleus Positive ( + )

Beta() radiation Electron Negative (-) High 5 mm aluminium Very Fast low heavy

Gamma() radiation Electromagnetic wave Neutral Highest 25mm lead block or concrete wall Speed of light Very low No mass Ray

(c)Penetrating Low power (d)Can stopped by e) Movement/ Speed (f)Ionizing power (g)Mass (h)Particles or rays A sheet of paper Slowly High Heaviest

2 protons & One atom 2 neutrons

Penetrating Power of the Radiation

Uses of radioactive substance Field on daily Uses life

Industry Agriculture Detection of leakage in underground pipes Detection of thickness of paper, metal and plastics To study the absorption and distribution of elements Gamma radiation is used to sterilize crop pests (a biological control method) As radiotherapy treatment for cancer patient To sterilize syringes and surgical instruments To determine the age of ancient artifacts (carbon dating) To preserve food

Medicine Archeology Food technology

The Uses of Radioactive Substances

Agriculture

1.Gamma rays are used to - Produce new breeds of quality plants- higher yield, earlier maturity, better nutritional value, greater resistance to disease. - Induce mutation in plant and animal
2. Phosphorus-32 are used as; detectors to study the absorption and use of fertiliser (phosphate) by plants. Help farmer to determine the amount of fertiliser need for a crop. Scientist understand how plant use phosphorus to grow and reproduce.

Medicine
1.Gamma

rays from cobalt-60 are used to kill cancer cells (radiotherapy)

also

used to sterilise instruments used in an operation Eg: plastic syringes

iodine-131 Check the function of body organ. to detect any damage to the thyroid gland and check the uptake of iodine by thyroid gland.
Patient

drink liquid contain iodine-131 measure how fast iodine accumulates in the thyroid gland.

Detector

Sodium-24 To detect the location of blood clot Inject sodium-24 into blood stream and detect where the flow stop.

Industry
Geiger-Mller counter can detected the leaking pipes in underground.

industry
Beta

Figure 6.4 The thickness of paper can be controlled by measuring how much beta radiation passes through the paper to Geiger counter. ( page 139)

particles can be used to control the thickness of the paper, plastic or aluminium foil in the mills and also be used to ensure that bottles and containers are filled to correct level.

Food Preservation
Gamma

rays can be used to kill bacteria, mould and insects in food even after it has been packaged. This process called food irradiation.

Radioactive Dating

When animals and plants die, they stop taking carbon, the amount of carbon-14 begins to decline at a know rate. The age of the remains can be determined by measuring the amount of carbon-14 that remains. Method above called carbon-14 dating. Archaeologists use this method to estimate the age of ancient remains such as the age of a dinosaur.

Exercise 1
1.Give the meaning of radioactive substances. 2.Give two examples of radioactive substances and two of radioisotopes. 3.State one use of radioactive substances in each of the following field i) Medicine ii) Industry iii) Agriculture

Production of Nuclear Energy

Fission of Uranium-235 produce two new nucleus and releases nuclear energy. This process is called fission of radioactive substance