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Concepts:























6 protons (we can deduce this from the proton number
12 nucleons à 6 protons and 6 neutrons
No. of protons = no. of electrons
Therefore… no. of electrons = 6





4 nucleons
2 protons and 2 neutrons
and of course… 2 electrons






But we don’t only have this


We also have this


These two are called isotopes of carbon!

Definition: Isotopes are atoms of the same element which
have different number of neutrons

Examples: Hydrogen exists in three isotopes; protium, deuterium and tritium
Uranium which is used in nuclear power plants exists as three main isotopes; uranium uranium-238, uranium-235 and uranium-234

*1 All elements have more than one isotope!
*2 Many of these isotopes are unstable.
*3 This means that the nucleus breaks up into smaller nuclei.
*4 When this happens alpha(α )– particles,
Beta (β)-particles and gamma (γ)- rays may be emitted from the nucleus.
*5 This is called radioactive decay









Detecting radioactivity


The Geiger-Muller tube (G-M tube)










G-M tube and the Geiger counter



*1 A potential difference of about 400 V is applied between the anode and the cathode.
*2 In between the anode and the cathode there’s argon gas at low pressure
*3 The end of the tube is sealed by mica window thin enough to allow alpha...