PHYS 11 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Radioactive Decay, Alpha Decay, Alpha Particle
Document Summary
Any topics done in class, iclickers, homework. Baker questions (especially from the abstract and opening paragraph and meaning of the section title) Sum dose / 25sv to ge the percentage of likeliness to get cancer. Formed when uranium decays, uranium is very widespread, hence so is radon. High radon can be in any state, in any house, 2m sv/yr. Causes about 21000 lung cancer deaths/year in usa. Random greatly increased chance of cancer in smokers. Anything that damages protein (dna) or interferences with normal ways of preventing unchecked growth: chemical, virus, sunlight, ionizing radiation. Nucleus spontaneously emits an alpha particle = a helium nucleus. Each alpha is composed of 2 protons + 2 neutrons. Change inside nucleus (not chemical or electron) No memory of age or when prior decay happened. Element will change in alpha and beta alpha. Stopped by cm of lead bricks, or meters or concrete. If beta particle is emitted from a nucleus, the nucleus changes.
