Beta particles
Beta particles consist of:
Electrons

The neutron inside the nucleus changes into a proton and an electron. The electron is emitted from the nucleus. In this way the atomic number goes up and the mass number stays the same.

Properties:
A) Negative charge
B) Moderate penetrating ability (stopped by 5mm of aluminium) --> can penetrate the body causing cancer
C) Deflected in magnetic / electrical fields.

Uses:
Carbon-14 isotope is used to date archaeological artefacts which were once living (plants + animals) up to age 10,000 years.

All living organisms contain Carbon-14 and Carbon-12
When the organism dies, the carbon-14 will decay
The ratio of Carbon-14 to Carbon-12 gives the age of the organism.

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Leaving Certificate Chemistry (Radioactivity) Notiz am Radiation, erstellt von eimearkelly3 am 01/07/2013.