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.

	Created by eimearkelly3 over 11 years ago

Leaving Certificate Chemistry (Radioactivity) Note on Radiation, created by eimearkelly3 on 01/07/2013.