Nuclear & Radiochemistry
13 terms
Radiation Dose
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Gy
A measure of the energy deposited in matter by ionising radiation.
D = E / m
Radioactive Activity
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Bq
The number of nuclear disintegrations occurring in a sample per unit time.
A = λN
Radioactive Decay Series
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Dimensionless
A sequence of successive radioactive decays leading from a long-lived parent to a stable end product.
Radioactive Half-Life
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
s
The time required for half the nuclei in a radioactive sample to decay.
t½ = 0.693 / λ
Radioactive Tracer
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Bq
A radioisotope introduced into a system so that its pathway can be followed by detecting its radiation.
Radioactive Waste
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Bq/kg
Material containing radionuclides for which no further use is foreseen and which requires controlled disposal.
Radioactivity
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Bq
The spontaneous emission of particles or electromagnetic radiation from unstable atomic nuclei.
Radiocarbon Dating
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
years
A dating technique that determines the age of organic material from its residual carbon-14 content.
t = (t½ / 0.693) ln(N₀/N)
Radioisotope
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Dimensionless
An isotope of an element whose nucleus is unstable and undergoes radioactive decay.
Radiolysis
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Dimensionless
The chemical decomposition of a substance caused by ionising radiation.
H₂O →(radiation) H· + OH·
Radiometric Dating
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
years
The general technique of determining the age of a sample from the decay of a radioactive nuclide it contains.
t = (1/λ) ln(1 + D/P)
Radiopharmaceutical
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
MBq
A radioactive compound administered to a patient for diagnosis or treatment.
Radiotherapy
Nuclear & Radiochemistry
Gy
The medical use of ionising radiation to destroy cancerous tissue.