Radioactivity gamma rays

Gamma radiation is one of the three types of natural source of radioactivity. Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation, like X-rays, and the other two types of natural radioactivity are alpha and beta radiation, which are in the form of particles. Gamma rays are the most energetic... 

Natural titanium is reported to become very radioactive after bombardment with deuterons. The emitted radiations are mostly positrons and hard gamma rays. The metal is dimorphic. The hexagonal alpha form changes to the cubic beta form very slowly at about 88O0C. The metal combines with oxygen at red heat, and with chlorine at 550oC. 

The most important types of radioactive particles are alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and X-rays. An alpha particle, which is symbolized as a, is equivalent to a helium nucleus, fHe. Thus, emission of an alpha particle results in a new isotope whose atomic number and atomic mass number are, respectively, 2 and 4 less than that for the unstable parent isotope. 

Neutron Activation Analysis Few samples of interest are naturally radioactive. For many elements, however, radioactivity may be induced by irradiating the sample with neutrons in a process called neutron activation analysis (NAA). The radioactive element formed by neutron activation decays to a stable isotope by emitting gamma rays and, if necessary, other nuclear particles. The rate of gamma-ray emission is proportional to the analyte s initial concentration in the sample. For example, when a sample containing nonradioactive 13AI is placed in a nuclear reactor and irradiated with neutrons, the following nuclear reaction results. 

The radioactive isotope of 13AI has a characteristic decay process that includes the release of a beta particle and a gamma ray. 

With the exception of diamond coloring and the turning of topa2 blue, the source of the irradiation is immaterial. Gamma rays are the preferred source because of uniformity of coloration and the absence of heating and induced radioactivity. The most commonly seen gemstones enhanced by irradiation are summari2ed in Table 4. 

Radiometric ore sorting has been used successfully for some uranium ores because uranium minerals emit gamma rays which may be detected by a scintillation counter (2). In this appHcation, the distribution of uranium is such that a large fraction of the ore containing less than some specified cut-off grade can be discarded with tittle loss of uranium values. Radioactivity can also be induced in certain minerals, eg, boron and beryllium ores, by bombarding with neutrons or gamma rays. 

Radioactivity occurs naturally in earth minerals containing uranium and thorium. It also results from two principal processes arising from bombardment of atomic nuclei by particles such as neutrons, ie, activation and fission. Activation involves the absorption of a neutron by a stable nucleus to form an unstable nucleus. An example is the neutron reaction of a neutron and cobalt-59 to yield cobalt-60 [10198 0-0] Co, a 5.26-yr half-life gamma-ray emitter. Another is the absorption of a neutron by uranium-238 [24678-82-8] to produce plutonium-239 [15117 8-5], Pu, as occurs in the fuel of a nuclear... 

Gamma ray The shortest wavelength and highest energy type of all electromagnetic radiation. It originates in the nucleus of radioactive isotopes along with alpha particle, beta particle, or neutron emissions. 

Radioactive transformations are accomplished by several different mechanisms, most importantly alpha ptirticle, beta particle, tuid gamma ray emissions, Each of tliese mechanisms are sponuuieous nuclear transformations. The result of these transformations is tlie formation of different tuid more stable elements. 

Several different mechanisms, most importtuitly alplia particle, beta particle, and gamma ray emissions accomplish radioactive transformations. Each of these mechanisms is a spontaneous nuclear transformation. Tlie result of tliese transformations is the formation of different stable elements. Tlie kind of transformation that will ttike place for any given radioactive element is a function of the type of nuclear inslabilitv as well as the mass/energy relationship. The nuclear instability is dependent on the ratio of neutrons to... 

Radioactive events occur in the measured depth interval (8,100-8,200 ft) with no displacement of the low/high side gamma ray logs. The radioactive events must be perpendicular to the gamma detector and could be indications of vertical natural fractures in the formation. 

Spectral Gamma Ray Log. This log makes use of a very efficient tool that records the individual response to the different radioactive minerals. These minerals include potassium-40 and the elements in the uranium family as well as those in the thorium family. The GR spectrum emitted by each element is made up of easily identifiable lines. As the result of the Compton effect, the counter records a continuous spectrum. The presence of potassium, uranium and thorium can be quantitatively evaluated only with the help of a computer that calculates in real time the amounts present. The counter consists of a crystal optically coupled to a photomultiplier. The radiation level is measured in several energy windows. 

Another potential application of radioactive species is in food preservation (Figure 19.2, p. 518). It is well known that gamma rays can kill insects, larvae, and parasites such as... 

Food preservation. Strawberries irradiated with gamma rays from radioactive isotopes to keep them fresh. 

Radioactive isotopes, determination by gamma-ray intensity measurements, 292... 

This can result in a radioactive product from the A(n, t)A reaction where A is the stable element, n is a thermal neutron, A is the radioactive product of one atomic mass unit greater than A, and y is the prompt gamma ray resulting from the reaction. A is usually a beta and/or gamma emitter of reasonably long half-life. Where access to a nuclear reactor has been convenient, thermal neutron activation analysis has proven to be an extremely valuable nondestructive analytical tool and in many cases, the only method for performing specific analyses at high sensitivities... 

The nuclear reactor also must be shielded against the emission of radioactive material to the external environment. Suitable radiation controls include both thermal and biological shielding systems. Radiation from alpha particles (a rays) and beta particles ((3 rays) has little penetrating power, but gamma rays have deep penetration properties. Neutron radiation is, however, the primary area of risk. Typically, extremely thick concrete walls are used as a neutron absorber, but lead-lined concrete and special concretes are also used. 

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