Radioactivity

What is Radioactivity?

Radioactivity is the spontaneous decay or disintegration of the nucleus of the atom of a radioactive element during which radiations, alpha, beta and gamma particles (α, β and γ-particles) and sometimes neutrons and energyEnergy is the ability to do work. Energy exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical energy, light, potential energy, and electrical energy. Units of Energy: The SI unit... More are emitted.

Radioactive elements are elements that are capable of spontaneous decay with the emission of radiation and energy. Examples of such elements are uranium, boron, thorium, radon, cobalt, radium, etc.

The phenomenon of radioactivity was discovered by Henry Becquerel in 1896.

Deflection in a Magnetic Field:

These three forms of radiation can be separated by a magnetic field since positively charged alpha particles bend in one direction, negative beta particles bend in an opposite direction, and electrically neutral gamma radiation doesn't bend at all.

Alpha particles move towards the negatively charged plate. Since they are attracted to a negative charge, this shows us that alpha particles carry a positive charge.

Beta