There are two main types of radioactivity: natural and induced. Natural radioactivity occurs in nature from unstable nuclei and can occur through alpha, beta, or gamma decay, each resulting in the emission of different particles or energy from the nucleus. Radioactive decay occurs at a predictable rate and can be used to determine the age of materials through calculation of half-lives. Radioisotopes have many uses including medical tracers, pollution detection, cancer treatment, food preservation, and providing nuclear fuel for power plants.

1. Nuclear Chemistry

5. Alpha Decay Example Notice that the uranium has changed into a new element, thorium.

7. Beta Decay Example Notice that carbon has changed into nitrogen.

9. Gamma Decay Example No new element formed. Gamma radiation (energy) released.

11. Uranium-238 Decay Series

13. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Thorium-234 becomes Protactinium-234 Transmutation by Beta Decay

14. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Protactinium-234 becomes Uranium-234 Transmutation by Beta Decay

15. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Uranium-234 becomes Thorium-230 Transmutation by Alpha Decay

16. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Thorium-230 becomes Radium-226 Transmutation by Alpha Decay

17. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Radium –226 becomes Radon-222 Transmutation by Alpha Decay

18. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Radon-222 becomes Polonium-218 Transmutation by Alpha Decay

19. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Polonium-218 becomes Lead-214 Transmutation by Alpha Decay

20. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Lead-214 becomes Bismuth-214 Transmutation by Beta Decay

21. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Bismuth-214 becomes Polonium-214 Transmutation by Beta Decay

22. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Polonium-214 becomes Lead-210 Transmutation by Alpha Decay

23. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Lead-210 becomes Bismuth-210 Transmutation by Beta Decay

24. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Bismuth-210 becomes Polonium-210 Transmutation by Beta Decay

25. Radioactive Decay of U-238 Polonium-210 becomes Lead-206 Transmutation by Alpha Decay Lead-206 is stable. (phew!)