The '2' on the bottom left of the He refers to the number of protons. The '4' represents the combined number of protons and neutrons. As an atom 'decays' it can emit protons, neutrons, or electrons.
The number and type of particles it emits gives rise to the type of radiation being emitted. In the case of alpha decay, a helium nucleus two protons, and two neutrons are emitted. This is the lowest energy radiation type, but it is none the less dangerous to human health.
Here is an example of the alpha decay process. Here, Uranium is decaying to Thorium. The number of protons in Uranium 92 is reduced to 90, making a new element- Thorium. The two protons do not simply disappear however, the protons that are emitted are what alpha radiation consists of.
Beta decay is the emission of a positron or electron from an atom, allowing the atom to obtain an optimal more stable number of protons and neutrons.
When an atom has too many protons or neutrons such that it is unstable, it can transform a neutron into a proton or a proton into a neutron. The particles emitted for these reactions to take place electrons, positrons are what accounts for the radiation. Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation, as opposed to alpha and beta radiation which are in the form of particles. Gamma radiation is the highest energy radiation of the three types. Gamma rays are emitted from radioactive elements, but differ from alpha and beta decay in that it does not alter the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus but instead has the effect of moving the nucleus from a higher to a lower energy state.
I'm glad you asked, radiation can come from many sources. Some of these sources are artificial, and some are natural. Let's go over a few of these sources. The image above gives a breakdown of the many sources that can expose humans to radiation. Four major groups from which humans recieve doses of radiation include Radon, sources inside the human body, rocks and soil, and the sun.
These are all natural sources. Other sources of radiation include medical diagnostic tools, nuclear medicine, and consumer products. Radon is a chemical element. Its atomic number is It lies within the noble gas column on the periodic table, which means it is inert and nonreactive. Radium is, however, radioactive. Radon occurs as an intermediate decay product from uranium or thorium as they decay to lead. The half life of radon is about 3.
This means that it takes about 3. Radon emits alpha particles, and is therefore ionizing radiation, and dangerous to human health. Some of the elements that make up the human body have radioactive isotopes that can add to the amount of radiation you are exposed to while decaying inside your body.
Carbon and potassium are two of these elements. C14 has a half life of over 5, years while potassium has a half life of about 1. Potassium accounts for the majority of the radiation inside your body. There are three naturally occurring isotopes of potassium. K39, K40, and K K40 decays to Ar40 by electron capture or positron emission Beta decay. You may be thinking- potassium The answer is yes. Like all organic material, bananas contain some radioactive isotopes of potassium.
In fact, in order to come up with a unit that could easily be used to understand the severity of a radiation dose, the 'banana equivalent dose was introduced. Now, it is important to recognize that eating one banana You may also get treatments for your symptoms.
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Radiation Exposure. Learn More Related Issues Specifics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. What is radiation? There are two types: Non-ionizing radiation, which includes radio waves, cell phones, microwaves, infrared radiation and visible light Ionizing radiation, which includes ultraviolet radiation, radon , x-rays , and gamma rays What are the sources of radiation exposure?
What are the health effects of radiation exposure? The amount of damage that exposure to radiation can cause depends on several factors, including The type of radiation The dose amount of radiation How you were exposed, such as through skin contact, swallowing or breathing it in, or having rays pass through your body Where the radiation concentrates in the body and how long it stays there How sensitive your body is to radiation.
A fetus is most vulnerable to the effects of radiation. Infants, children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to health effects than healthy adults. What are the treatments for acute radiation sickness? How can radiation exposure be prevented? There are steps you can take to prevent or reduce radiation exposure: If your health care provider recommends a test that uses radiation, ask about its risks and benefits.
In some cases, you may be able to have a different test that does not use radiation. But if you do need a test that uses radiation, do some research into the local imaging facilities. Find one that monitors and uses techniques to reduce the doses they are giving patients. Reduce electromagnetic radiation exposure from your cell phone. At this time, scientific evidence has not found a link between cell phone use and health problems in humans.
More research is needed to be sure. Factors that Affect Dose A dose received over a long period of time is less harmful than the same dose received all at once. A dose to a part of the body is less harmful than a dose to the whole body. Children and young adults are more sensitive to the effects of radiation. High doses of radiation could also lead to cancer later in life. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address. What's this.
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