Term
| Define radioactive decay. |
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Definition
| Radioactivity (Radioactive Decay) – Is Spontaneous Emission of Particles and/or electromagnetic (EM) rays. |
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Term
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Definition
| Parent Nuclide – nucleus, which decays. |
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Term
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Definition
| Daughter Nuclide – nucleus formed following the decay event. |
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Term
| Define natural radioactivity. |
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Definition
| Natural Radioactivity – occurs from naturally occurring nuclides. |
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Term
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Definition
| The number of atom disintegrations occurring per unit time. |
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Term
| List eight (8) general mechanisms of radioactive decay. |
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Definition
Radioactive Decay Mechanisms:
a. Alpha decay
b. Beta decay
c. Positron decay
d. Electron capture (K capture)
e. Photon decay
f. Internal conversion
g. Neutron emission
h. Proton decay |
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Term
| Define decay constant and give equation. |
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Definition
Decay Constant (λ, Greek Letter Lambda)
a. Average rate of disintegration for a particular isotope, or probability that any of a number (N) of atoms of an
isotope will decay in a certain time period.
λ=(ln2)/(t1/2) |
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Term
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Definition
| Rate at which radioactive disintegrations occur. |
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Term
| Define half-life and give equation. |
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Definition
Half-Life (t1/2):
a. Time required for the number of atoms present in a sample of isotope to decay to one-half its value.
b. For a given isotope, t1/2 is constant.
t1/2= ln2/λ |
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Term
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Definition
Curie (Ci) - amount of any radioisotope that has 3.7 x 10^10 atoms disintegrating per second.
(Most common unit of activity) |
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Term
Write the formula which
defines activity in terms of the
amount of material at an instant
and the activity constant. |
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Definition
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Term
| Write the formula which expresses the amount of material remaining after a period of time. |
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Definition
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Term
| Define specific activity. |
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Definition
Specific Activity (SA):
Number of curies per unit mass or volume
(Used to describe the activity per unit mass)
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Term
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Definition
The path a radioactive isotope may take during decay.
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Term
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Definition
Compound decay indicates that a radioisotope requires multiple decays to reach stability
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