Fundamentals of Radioactive Nuclei

📋 Course Outline

1. Radioactive Nucleus Definition
2. Atomic Nucleus Symbolism
3. Protons and Charge
4. Mass Number A
5. Isotope Definition
6. Isotope Examples
7. Beta Plus Decay Particles
8. Beta Minus Decay Particles
9. Alpha Decay Particles
10. Gamma Radiation
11. Gamma Ray Properties
12. Radioactive Activity

📖 1. Radioactive Nucleus Definition

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Radioactive nucleus (source: fiche chapitre 7): An unstable nucleus that spontaneously decays, emitting particles such as α, β+, or β-.
• Radioactive decay (source: fiche chapitre 7): The process by which an unstable nucleus spontaneously emits particles, leading to a change in its nuclear composition.
• Particles emitted during decay (source: fiche chapitre 7): The types of particles released include alpha (α), beta plus (β+), and beta minus (β-).
• Isotopes (source: fiche chapitre 7): Nuclei with the same number of protons (Z) but different numbers of neutrons (A), thus differing in mass number.
• Beta plus (β+) decay particle (source: fiche chapitre 7): The emitted particle is a positron or positon.
• Gamma radiation (γ) (source: fiche chapitre 7): High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted during radioactive decay, accompanying the emission of particles.

📝 Essential Points