YAD-006 · Radioactivity Sample material

Radioactivity and the law of radioactive decay

The nature of radioactivity, the decay law, activity and its units, successive decays and equilibrium, decay modes (alpha, beta, gamma, internal conversion, fission, exotic and cluster decays), background radiation and radiation ecology.

Estimated time: 3 h 4 activities

Learning objective

Understand the statistical nature of radioactive decay and the decay law.
Learn to compute the decay constant, half-life, mean lifetime and activity.
Analyse secular and transient equilibrium in successive decays.
Gain an overview of decay modes, sources of background radiation and man-made radionuclides.

Expected outcomes

Can compute N(t) and A(t) at any time and determine ages by radiocarbon dating.
Can find the activity (Bq, Ci) from the sample mass and vice versa.
Can calculate parent–daughter equilibrium and explain how radionuclide generators work.
Can name the main sources of natural and man-made background radiation and the annual dose.

Interactive modelThe law of radioactive decay

Activities

Lecture
Lecture · 1 h 20 min · required
General description of radioactivity. Laws of radioactive decay. Successive decay
Practice · 1 h 20 min · required
Radioactivity. Background radiation. Man-made radionuclides
Self-study · 6 h 40 min · optional
Final test
Test · 20 min · required · pass ≥ 70%

Completion conditions

  • Lecture
  • General description of radioactivity. Laws of radioactive decay. Successive decay
  • Final test — at least 70%