RADIOACTIVITY

Radioactivity

Radioactivity refers to the particles which are emitted from nuclei as a result of nuclear instability. Because the nucleus experiences the intense conflict between the two strongest forces in nature, it should not be surprising that there are many nuclear isotopes which are unstable and emit some kind of radiation. The most common types of radiation are called alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, but there are several other varieties of radioactive decay.

Radioactive decay rates are normally stated in terms of their half-lives, and the half-life of a given nuclear species is related to its radiation risk. The different types of radioactivity lead to different decay paths which transmute the nuclei into other chemical elements. Examining the amounts of the decay products makes possible radioactive dating.

Radiation from nuclear sources is distributed equally in all directions, obeying the inverse square law.

Natural radioactive decay series. Radioactive items you can buy. Some history.
Illustration of alpha, beta and gamma radiation
 

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Solutions

Like Dissolves Like Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Molecules
Soaps, Detergents, and Dry-Cleaning Agents Units of Concentration

Like Dissolves Like

By convention, we assume that one or more solutes dissolve in a solvent to form a mixture known as the solution. The photographs that accompany this section illustrate what happens when we add a pair of solutes to a pair of solvents.

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Kinetic Molecular Theory

While the ideal gas law deals with macroscopic quantities of gas, the kinetic molecular theory shows how individual gas particles interact with one another. The kinetic molecular theory contains a number of statements compatible with the assumptions of the ideal gas law. It is worthwhile to list them here:
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