Radioactivity and Radionuclides’ radiation emissions.
Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity or nuclear radiation) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy (in terms of mass in its rest frame) by emitting radiation, such as an alpha particle, beta particle with neutrino or only a neutrino in the case of electron capture, or a gamma ray or electron in the case of internal conversion. A material containing such unstable nuclei is considered radioactive. Certain highly excited short-lived nuclear states can decay through neutron emission, or more rarely, proton emission.A radionuclide (radioactive nuclide, radioisotope or radioactive isotope) is an atom that has excess nuclear energy, making it unstable. This excess energy can be used in one of three ways: emitted from the nucleus as gamma radiation; transferred to one of its electrons to release it as a conversion electron; or used to create and emit a new particle (alpha particle or beta particle) from the nucleus. During those processes, the radionuclide is said to undergo radioactive decay.
Radiation Sources and Doses/ Radiation Poisoning: The rem
A radiation source is a known quantity of a radionuclide which emits ionizing radiation; typically one or more of theradiation types gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, and neutron radiation. ... Common source radionuclides include cobalt-60, iridium-192, and strontium-90.
Effects of Radiation Levels on the Human Body
| Dose-rem | Effects |
|---|---|
| 5-20 | Possible late effects; possible chromosomal damage. |
| 20-100 | Temporary reduction in white blood cells. |
| 100-200 | Mild radiation sickness within a few hours: vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue; reduction in resistance to infection. |
| 200-300 | Serious radiation sickness effects as in 100-200 rem and hemorrhage; exposure is a Lethal Dose to 10-35% of the population after 30 days (LD 10-35/30). |
| 300-400 | Serious radiation sickness; also marrow and intestine destruction; LD 50-70/30. |
| 400-1000 | Acute illness, early death; LD 60-95/30. |
| 1000-5000 | Acute illness, early death in days; LD 100/10 |
Radiation and Protection Measurements
The radiation dose absorbed by a person (that is, the amount of energy deposited in human tissue by radiation) is measured using the conventional unit rad or the SI unit gray (Gy). The biological risk of exposure to radiation is measured using the conventional unit rem or the SI unit sievert (Sv).The radioactivity of a substance is measured in the number of nuclei that decay per unit time. The standard international unit or radioactivity is called a becquerel (abbreviated Bq), which is equal to one disintegration per second (dps). Radioactivity is also measured in curies, a historical unit based on the number of disintegration per second in one gram of radium-226 (37 billion). Hence 1 curie = 37 billion Bq. One picocurie (a trillionth of a curie) = 0.037 Bq, and 1 Bq = 27 picocuries. Radioactivity is also measured in disintegration per minute (dpm). One dpm = 1/60 Bq.
There is radiation everywhere.Cosmic rays & radioactive sources are the main sources of radiation.
Comprehensively demonstrate a true understanding of the following by steps... -Radioactivity and Radionuclides’ radiation emissions. -Radiation...