Physics Introduction PDF

PHYSICS Int oduction  3 Lec  If we compare it to the relationship between a light bulb and light, radiation is the...

PHYSICS Int oduction  3 Lec  If we compare it to the relationship between a light bulb and light, radiation is the light emitted by the bulb, radioactive materials are the bulb, and radioactivity is the power to emit light. As a light bulb gets old, its power to emit light decreases. Therefore, the light becomes weaker or does not shine. The same is true for radioactive materials. As they continue to emit radiation, the radioactivity decays and the amount of radiation decreases. Radioactivity was discovered for uranium by Henri Becquerel in 1896.  Radon comes from naturally occurring radioactive elements (mainly Uranium and Thorium) in soils and rocks in the earth under our homes. As these elements radioactively decay, radon gas is produced. The gas easily moves up through the soil