Nuclear Chemistry/ Radiation

• radiation = substance emits radioactive particles or waves

Types of Radiation:

1) Alpha (a) particle – high energy helium nucleus ⁴₂He

2) Beta (b) particle – high energy electron

n^o > p⁺ + e^–

3) Gamma (g) waves – electromagnetic photons

Natural Transmutations

• Radioactive decay = change in nucleus that produces radiation
• Transmutation = change one element into a different element
  • Alpha decay:  ex.   ²¹²₈₆Rn > ²⁰⁸₈₄Po + ⁴₂He
  • Beta decay:    ex.   ¹⁴₆C > ¹⁴₇N + e^–