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Lab 6: Radioactivity

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Physics 132 Hasbrouck 212 Cassidy Grace Lab 6: Radioactivity Abstract In this experiment we studied the strength of radioactive elements using the properties of ionizing radiation. The sources we used in this experiment are alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. We also studies the principles of the Rutherford experiments in that the nucleus was found to be very small because the forces that hold it together and also that the protons and the neutrons reside in the nucleus. Through this we also learned that the total number of nucleons in the atom is called the atomic mass number and assigned a symbol A, called the mass number. Questions and Answers Provide data for parts 6.5.2 and 6.5.3. Determine whether each data point lies within your confidence …show more content…

Which decay based on your results of 6.5.4 has the most penetrating power? Which decay is the most hazardous to bystanders and why do you think so? (2 points) Based on the decay results the Beta energy had the most penetrating power as without paper, it strength was 997 counts/2 minutes. The other decays for alpha was 25 counts/2minute and gamma was 815 counts/2minute in measuring it without the paper. Gamma decay is the most hazardous to bystanders as it can penetrate skin and damage living human tissues. It does this by damaging DNA due to its high energy which can break atomic bonds, a phenomenon of ionizing radiation. Calculate the half-life for In-116 using the data given to you from computer printouts. (2 points) Parameter B tau = 1/B (sec) t_1/2 = tau*ln(2) 1.96 E -4 5102.04 3536.47 Based on the graph: N (t) = Ae(−Bt) + …show more content…

Alpha decay is sources from the Americium reaction. Beta decay is made from the daughter nucleus of Yttrium 90 and the energy of the beta particle is about 2 meV. Beta decay is when in an atomic nucleus, a proton turns into a neutron which helps the atom to become closer to the optimal ratio of protons to neurons. Gamma decay has 2 types of energies and the atomic nucleus changes from a high energy state to a low energy state because of electromagnetic radiation. In electromagnetic radiation the number of protons and neutrons doesn’t

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