Radioactive Decay
Radioactive decay is the process where
an unstable nucleus (called the parent nucleus) decays or disintegrates
into two, or more, smaller daughter nuclei. In the process, radioactive
radiations are emitted. Three examples of radiation are
o alpha particles (positive Helium nucleus),
o beta particles (negatively charged electrons),
and
o gamma rays (EM
/ electromagnetic radiation).
A summarised comparison of the three
rays is tabulated below:
| |
alpha α |
beta β |
gamma γ |
| what
it is |
helium nucleus |
electrons |
EM wave |
| charge |
positive |
negative |
neutral |
| penetration
power |
low |
average |
high |
| ionising
power |
high |
lower |
low to almost
none |
Reputan Radioaktif
Keradioaktifan ialah proses di mana
nukleus yang tak stabil (dipanggil nukleus induk) mereput menjadi
dua, atau lebih daripada dua, anak nukleus. Dalam proses ini,
sinaran radioaktif dikeluarkan. Tiga contoh sinaran ialah
o
zarah-zarah alfa (nukleus Helium positif)
o zarah-zarah beta (elektron-elektron
yang bercas negatif dan
o sinar gamma (sinaran
elektromagnetik).
Perbandingan tiga sinaran ditunjukkan seperti dalam jadual di bawah.
| |
alfa α |
beta β |
gamma γ |
| apakah
sinaran ini |
nukleus
Helium |
elektron |
gelombang
EM |
| cas |
positif |
negatif |
neutral |
| kuasa
penembusan |
rendah |
sederhana |
tinggi |
| kuasa
pengionan |
tinggi |
agak
tinggi |
tiada |
