Radiation Safety
Structure of the Atom
Dense nucleus composed of neutrons (0 charge) and protons (+ charge) and surrounded by orbital electrons (- charge). Neutrons and protons firmly held in the nucleus while electrons are very loosely held and are easy to remove. When electrons are removed from the atom, two charged particles (ions) are produced the positively charged atom and the negative electron. Energy is absorbed to remove the electron from the atom.
Atomic Notation
Chemical symbols such as C for carbon, H for hydrogen, and Cs for cesium are used to identify each type of atom. The atomic number of the element is designated as Z and the mass number is designated as A. The atomic number is always equal to the number of protons in the atom. The mass number is equal to the sum of the number of protons and number of neutrons. The mass number (A) is always written as a superscript, as in 14C (carbon-14) or as C-14. The atomic number is written as a subscript when used as in 6C (carbon- 14). However, since the chemical symbol identifies the element it is redundant to include the atomic number, so it is rarely used. Carbon-14, therefore, would be written as 14C or C-l4.
Unit of Radiation Energy
The electron volt (eV) is an extremely small unit and is equal to only 1.6 X 10-12 ergs. It is only used in radiation safety to express radiation energy. The electron volt is such a small unit that it is usually written as mega- or kilo- electron volts which is a million electron volts (MeV) or a thousand electron volts (keV), respectively.
Radioactivity
The atoms of all elements will exist in two categories with respect to their stability. Some atoms have too much mass-energy within the nucleus and exist in an unstable form. The unstable atoms are moved toward attaining stability much like an unstable car on top of a hill rolls to the bottom to become more stable. The process of going from an unstable to a more stable form is the process that is called radioactive
Dense nucleus composed of neutrons (0 charge) and protons (+ charge) and surrounded by orbital electrons (- charge). Neutrons and protons firmly held in the nucleus while electrons are very loosely held and are easy to remove. When electrons are removed from the atom, two charged particles (ions) are produced the positively charged atom and the negative electron. Energy is absorbed to remove the electron from the atom.
Atomic Notation
Chemical symbols such as C for carbon, H for hydrogen, and Cs for cesium are used to identify each type of atom. The atomic number of the element is designated as Z and the mass number is designated as A. The atomic number is always equal to the number of protons in the atom. The mass number is equal to the sum of the number of protons and number of neutrons. The mass number (A) is always written as a superscript, as in 14C (carbon-14) or as C-14. The atomic number is written as a subscript when used as in 6C (carbon- 14). However, since the chemical symbol identifies the element it is redundant to include the atomic number, so it is rarely used. Carbon-14, therefore, would be written as 14C or C-l4.
Unit of Radiation Energy
The electron volt (eV) is an extremely small unit and is equal to only 1.6 X 10-12 ergs. It is only used in radiation safety to express radiation energy. The electron volt is such a small unit that it is usually written as mega- or kilo- electron volts which is a million electron volts (MeV) or a thousand electron volts (keV), respectively.
Radioactivity
The atoms of all elements will exist in two categories with respect to their stability. Some atoms have too much mass-energy within the nucleus and exist in an unstable form. The unstable atoms are moved toward attaining stability much like an unstable car on top of a hill rolls to the bottom to become more stable. The process of going from an unstable to a more stable form is the process that is called radioactive