Radiation types, half-life, nuclear equations, and the solar system and universe.
Radioactivity
Unstable nuclei emit:
- Alpha (α) — helium nucleus; stopped by paper; strongly ionising.
- Beta (β) — electron; stopped by aluminium.
- Gamma (γ) — EM wave; reduced by lead; weakly ionising.
Decay is random. Half-life = time for half the nuclei (or activity) to decay.
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