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Chapter 25.1<br />
Radioactivity: the spontaneous emission of rays or particles from certain elements.<br />
Nuclear radiation: The rays and particles emitted from a radioactive source.<br />
Three types of radiation: alpha radiation, beta radiation, gamma radiation.<br />
Alpha: helium nuclei<br />
Beta: electrons<br />
Gamma: high-energy electromagnetic radiation.<br />
An electric field has a different effect on each type of radiation.<br />
Alpha and beta move in opposite directions. Alpha moves towards negative plate, and beta<br />
moves toward positive plate.<br />
Gamma rays have no mass and no electric charge.<br />
When an atom loses an alpha particle, the atomic number of the product is lowered by 2 and its<br />
mass is lowered by 4.<br />
Radioactive decay is spontaneous process that does not require an input of energy.<br />
If a product is unstable it will decay also.<br />
Because of their large mass and charge, alpha particles are the least penetrating of the three main<br />
types.<br />
Radiation is emitted during radioactive decay.
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