Radioactivity

principle · 1896 · Electric age

The spontaneous decay of nuclei (Becquerel, the Curies).

Where it is used

• Radioisotope generator — is used in. The decay heat of plutonium.
• Smoke detector — is used in. Ionization detectors use americium.
• Geiger counter — is used in. It detects particles.
• PET scanner — is used in. A radioactive tracer.
• Gamma camera — is used in. Gamma radiation.
• Gamma Knife — is used in. Cobalt-60.
• Atomic nucleus — is used in. Alpha particles in Rutherford’s experiment.
• Radiocarbon dating — is used in. Decay.
• Cloud chamber — is used in. Particle tracks.

History: what it evolved from and what it influenced

• Nuclear fission — evolved into. Studying radioactive decay led to the discovery of fission.

Open Evothings