Page 2: Mathematical Description of Radioactive Decay

The second page delves into the mathematical aspects of radioactive decay, particularly focusing on the concept of half-life and its practical applications in measuring radioactive decay.

Definition: Half-life $t₁/2$ is the time required for half of the initial number of radioactive nuclei to decay.

Example: After two half-lives, the number of radioactive nuclei becomes No/2², after three half-lives No/2³, and so on, where No is the initial number of nuclei.

Highlight: The decay curve shows an exponential decrease in the number of radioactive nuclei over time, which is characteristic of the loi de décroissance radioactive.

The page includes a graphical representation showing how the number of radioactive nuclei decreases over time, illustrating the exponential nature of radioactive decay.

Vocabulary: Period (T) - alternative term for half-life, representing the time needed for the radioactive sample to reduce to half its initial amount.

Page 1: Introduction to Radioactive Decay

The first page introduces the fundamental concepts of radioactive decay and its various types. In the periodic table of Mendeleiev, certain nuclei are radioactive and undergo spontaneous, irreversible transformation into stable nuclei while emitting radiation.

Definition: Radioactive decay is the process where unstable atomic nuclei transform into stable ones through emission of radiation.

Vocabulary: Nuclear decay equation - mathematical representation of how radioactive elements transform, showing both parent and daughter nuclei.

The three types of radioactivity are explained in detail:

• Alpha (α): Emission of helium nuclei
• Beta (β): Emission of electrons (β-) or positrons (β+)
• Gamma (γ): Electromagnetic radiation

Example: A nuclear decay equation for alpha emission can be written as: ₓX → ₓ₋₂Y + He

Highlight: The process is statistical in nature, following the "loi de décroissance radioactive" (radioactive decay law) due to the large number of nuclei involved.