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Radioactivity: natural, artificial and its units sheet
4-mark answer frame

What is radioactivity? Distinguish between natural and artificial radioactivity and give the units of radioactivity.

How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.

  1. 1 · Define. Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of alpha, beta or gamma radiation by unstable nuclei.
  2. 2 · Natural radioactivity. Spontaneous; shown by heavy elements (Z above 83) like uranium and radium; cannot be controlled. Discovered by Becquerel (1896).
  3. 3 · Artificial radioactivity. Induced by bombarding light nuclei with particles; can be controlled. Irene Curie and Frederic Joliot (1934). Example: ₁₃Al²⁷ + ₂He⁴ → ₁₅P³⁰ + ₀n¹.
  4. 4 · Units.
    • Becquerel (SI): 1 disintegration per second.
    • Curie: 3.7 × 10¹⁰ disintegrations per second.
    • Rutherford: 10⁶ disintegrations per second.
  5. 5 · Real-life link. Artificial radioisotopes made in reactors are used in hospitals for tests and treatment.
  6. 6 · Close. Radioactivity is a property of the nucleus, so outside conditions do not change it.

Scoring tip: A three-row table (who discovered it, which elements, controllable or not) is the quickest way to score the difference.