What you'll learn
Nuclear radiation and radioactive decay.
Radiation
- Atomic structure and isotopes.
- Alpha, beta and gamma: ionising power and penetration.
- Half-life and the random nature of decay.
- Uses of radioactivity (tracers, treating cancer).
Exam tips
- Rank the three radiations by penetration and ionising power.
- Use half-life to find the fraction remaining.
Common mistakes
- Confusing alpha and gamma properties.
- Thinking decay is predictable for one nucleus.