Understanding Radioactive Decay and Half-Life in Nuclear Chemistry
This section explains radioactive decay, the spontaneous emission of rays or particles from unstable nuclei, such as uranium. It details the three types of nuclear radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. The concept of half-life is introduced as the time required for half of a radioactive substance to decay. An example is provided using Fluorine-18, which has a half-life of 110 seconds and is used in medicine. The calculation demonstrates how much of a 10-gram sample remains after 11 minutes, illustrating the practical implications of half-life in real-world scenarios.
Understanding Radioactive Decay and Half-Life in Nuclear Chemistry
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Presentation Transcript
Unit 14: Nuclear CHemistry Section 3: Radioactive Decay and Half-Life
Radioactive Decay • The spontaneous emission of rays or particles from certain nuclei as they “decay,” such as Uranium. • These rays or particles are called nuclear radiation. • They come in three types: • Alpha Radiation: Helium nucleus; 2+ Charge; Low power (0.05 mm body tissue) • Beta Radiation: electron; 1- Charge; Moderate power (4 mm body tissue) • Gamma Radiation: electromagnetic wave; neutral charge; High Power (penetrates entire body easily)
Half-Life • While the process is spontaneous, it is not instantaneous… it takes time! • The time required for HALF of the atoms of a radioactive substance to decay is called a half-life.
Example: Fluorine-18 18 9 • Fluorine 18 ( F) has a half-life of 110 seconds. This material is used extensively in medicine. The hospital laboratory begins the day with 10 grams of F… 18 9
How many half-lives of f-18 occur in 11 minutes (660 sec)? 1 half-life = 110 seconds 660 seconds 110 seconds = 6 half-lives
How much of the 10-gram sample would be left after 11 minutes? • 6 half-lives = 10 divided in half, 6 times • 10/2 = 5 grams • 5/2 = 2.5 grams • 2.5/2 = 1.25 grams • 1.25/2 = 0.625 grams • 0.625/2 = 0.3125 grams • 0.3125/2 = 0.15625 grams After 11 minutes, only 0.16 g of the 10 g sample remain!!!!!!