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Nuclear Energy 1 2003

Three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan overheated, causing meltdowns and explosions that released large amounts of radioactive material into the air. The radioactive fallout contained radioactive isotopes like iodine-131 and cesium-137 that posed health risks.

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Aisyah Dan Anuaruddin
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56 views19 pages

Nuclear Energy 1 2003

Three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan overheated, causing meltdowns and explosions that released large amounts of radioactive material into the air. The radioactive fallout contained radioactive isotopes like iodine-131 and cesium-137 that posed health risks.

Uploaded by

Aisyah Dan Anuaruddin
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Three of the reactors at Fukushima Daiichi overheated, causing meltdowns that eventually led to explosions, which released large

amounts of radioactive materi al into the air.

Most elements contain atoms with stable nuclei However,isotopes of some elements contain heavy nuclei that are unstable Unstable isotopes are called radioisotopes Radioactive substance are materials which contain radioisotopes.

(a) Contain unstable nuclei


(b) These nuclei tend to decay (break up) spontaneously to become more stable

(c) Emit dangerous and invisible radioactive radiation and lots of energy

Iodine-131 Carbon-14 Cobalt-60 Potassium-40 Uranium-235

Radioactive decay is the process where an unstable nucleus breaks up to become more stable
emits tiny particles or radioation or both accompanied by release of a lot of energy Random and spontaneous process.

an alpha particle (use the symbol ) a beta particle (symbol ) a gamma ray (symbol )

Figure 6.1 The three common types of radioactive decay

Similarities
Alpha () radiation Beta ( ) radiation

All are radioactive radiations All have penetrating and ionizing power All are invisible

Gamma ( ) radiation

Type of radiation Alpha particle Symbol Mass (atomic mass units) Charge Speed
, ,

Beta particle
,

Gamma ray

4
Positive Slow

Very light
Negative Fast

No mass
Neutral Very fast (equal to the speed of light) Very weak High Lead

Ionizing ability Penetrating power Stopped by:

High Low paper

Weak Medium Aluminium

Industry

Archaeology

Uses of radioactive substances

Agriculture

Food preservation

Medical Treatment

Uses: Detects leaks in underground water pipes,by adding a radioactive tracer.

Gamma rays are used in controlling the thickness of paper ,plastic or aluminium foil.

Phoshorus-32 is used as tracer to track the uptake of fertilisers and chemical in plants. Gamma ray used to induce mutation in plants and animal Gamma ray used to sterelise and control pests such as insects.

As tracer to check the function of body organs Iodine-131 to check the uptake of iodine by the throid gland Cobalt-60 to kill cancerous cells

Gamma rays used to kill bacteria,moulds or insects in food

Carbon-14 to estimate the age of ancient remains and artifacts

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