Radioactivity Explained Home

Highly enriching

Standalone simuation

1. Atomic structure

Putting you in the picture

1.1 Atoms and elements

1.2 Structure and scale of the atom

1.3 Atomic number, mass number, and isotopes

Atomic structure film roll

2. Our changing picture of the atom

Good luck and dead ends

2.1 The plum pudding model

2.2 Rutherford and alpha scattering

2.3 Protons and neutrons

Our changing picture of the atom

3. Alpha, beta and gamma

As simple as the abc

3.1 Becquerel discovers radiation from uranium

3.2 Marie Curie finds more radioactive elements

3.3 Rutherford separates alpha, beta and gamma

3.4 The sparkler analogy

3.5 Nuclear changes with alpha, beta, gamma

3.6 Penetration and ionisation

3.7 Detecting radiation

Alpha, beta and gamma roll

4. Background radiation

Since the dawn of time

4.1 Sources of background radiation

4.2 The becquerel and the sievert

4.3 Compensating for background count in readings

Background radiation slide roll

5. Half-life and decay rate

The less there is, the slower you lose it

5.1 The discovery that radioactivity decreases with time

5.2 Stability and randomness

5.3 Radioactivity and half-life

5.4 Half-life calculations

5.5 Half-life and graphs

5.6 Half-life: Radiation uses and risks

Half-life and decay rate images

6. Uses of nuclear radiation

Nothing else will do

6.1 Non-medical uses

6.2 Medical uses

Uses of radiation images

7. Dangers and risks

Safe but scary

7.1 Contamination and irradiation

7.2 Effects of radiation on living things

7.3 Managing risks

7.4 Risk perception

Dangers and risks of radiation images

8. Nuclear equations

New elements, same building blocks

8.1 Changing elements

8.2 Balancing equations

Nuclear equations images

9. Nuclear power

Low carbon, but not renewable

9.1 Generating electricity

9.2 Fission and moderators

9.3 Chain reactions and control rods

9.4 Radioactive waste

9.5 Nuclear fusion

Nuclear power images