The Gold Leaf Experiment For this experiment a positively charged electroscope with a gold lead in a diverged position is used. A radium source is brought near to the cap of the electroscope. The radiation emitted ionises the surrounding air; as the cap is positively...
Radioactive Decay Radiation is emitted by the nucleus of an atom. Un unstable nucleus emits radiation in an attempt to become more stable. This is known a radioactive decay. Nature of the radiation An alpha particle is a positively charged helium nucleus consisting of...
Radioactive decay Radioactive emission of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays take place due to radioactive decay. Radioactive decay is the process of unstable nuclei disintegrating to attain more stability. This process is not affected by: chemical combinations...
Uses of radioactive material Tracers: the ability of detectors to measure small quantities of radioactive materials is made use of in tracer applications. Tracers are widely used in medicine, industry and agriculture. Penetrating radiation: gamma rays are used to...