radioactive decay; spontaneous and random nature of decay

(i) α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays; nature, penetration and range of these radiations

(ii) techniques and procedures used to investigate the absorption of α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays by appropriate materials

nuclear decay equations for alpha, beta-minus and beta-plus decays; balancing nuclear transformation equations

activity of a source; decay constant λ of an isotope; $A = λN$

Learners will also require knowledge of 5.1.4a

(i) half-life of an isotope; $λt_{1/2} = \ln{2}$

(ii) techniques and procedures used to determine the half-life of an isotope such as protactinium

PAG7

(i) the equations $A = A_0e^{-λt}$ and $N = N_0e^{-λt}$, where A is the activity and N is the number of undecayed nuclei

(ii) simulation of radioactive decay using dice

graphical methods and spreadsheet modelling of the equation $\dfrac{ΔN}{Δt} = - λN$ for radioactive decay

radioactive dating, e.g. carbon-dating.