Atomic And Nuclear Physics

7

Radioactivity

THIS CHAPTER COVERS…

• The events that led to the discovery of radioactivity.
• The types of natural radioactivity, decay processes, half-life, mean life and decay constant.
• The laws of radioactive decay and growth and equilibrium.
• Radioactive series and uses of radiation from radioactive sources.
• Non-medical uses, like carbon dating and medical uses such as imaging and nuclear medicine.

7.1 INTRODUCTION

In 1896, Henri Becquerel used natural fluorescent minerals to study the properties of X-rays, which were discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen.He exposed potassium uranyl sulfate to sunlight and then placed it on photographic plates wrapped in black paper. He came to the conclusion that uranium absorbed Sun's energy and emitted it ...