Radioactivity

Students should be able to:

1. describe the composition of an atom in terms of a positive nucleus (with protons and neutrons) and negatively charged electrons
2. use the terms proton (atomic) number Z, nucleon (mass) number A and isotope
3. use and interpret the term nuclide and use the nuclide notation (\(^A_ZX\))
4. show an understanding that nuclear decay is a random and spontaneous process whereby an unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation
5. show an understanding of the nature of alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) radiation (including ionising effect and penetrating power) [β-particles are assumed to be β– particles only]
6. use equations involving nuclide notation to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when radioactive emissions occur
7. show an understanding of background radiation
8. use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves
9. discuss the applications (e.g. medical and industrial uses) and hazards of radioactivity based on:
   1. half-life of radioactive materials,
   2. penetrating abilities and ionising effects of radioactive emissions
10. state the meaning of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission and relate these nuclear processes with the release of energy from nuclear fuels (recall of the energy-mass equivalence and details of technologies in nuclear power plants are not required).