Nuclear

Radioactivity

• Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from unstable atomic nuclei.
• The three main types of radiation are alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) particles.
• Radioactive decay follows the law of radioactive decay, where the activity decreases exponentially with time.
• Half-life is the time taken for the activity of a radioactive substance to decrease to half of its original value.
• Radioactive materials have many applications, including in medicine, industry, and power generation.
• Exam tips: know the properties and effects of the different types of radiation, be able to calculate half-life, and understand the uses and dangers of radioactivity.