Radioactivity: Introduction and History

by Michael F. L'Annunziata

Overview

Radioactivity: Introduction and History provides an introduction to radioactivity from natural and artificial sources on earth and radiation of cosmic origins. This book answers many questions for the student, teacher, and practitioner as to the origins, properties, detection and measurement, and applications of radioactivity. Written at a level that most students and teachers can appreciate, it includes many calculations that students and teachers may use in class work. Radioactivity: Introduction and History also serves as a refresher for experienced practitioners who use radioactive sources in his or her field of work. Also included are historical accounts of the lives and major achievements of many famous pioneers and Nobel Laureates who have contributed to our knowledge of the science of radioactivity.

* Provides entry-level overview of every form of radioactivity including natural and artificial sources, and radiation of cosmic origin.
* Includes many solved problems to practical questions concerning nuclear radiation and its interaction with matter
* Historical accounts of the major achievements of pioneers and Nobel Laureates, who have contributed to our current knowledge of radioactivity

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080548883
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	08/23/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	632
File size:	56 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Michael F. L'Annunziata earned his PhD degree in 1970 at the University of Arizona. His thesis research in the 1960s under contract with the then-US Atomic Energy Commission dealt with the analysis of radionuclides and chemical remediation of the environment in the event of fission product fallout from nuclear war. L'Annunziata was formerly Head of Fellowships and Training at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria; and he has served as a representative and lecturer for the IAEA on peaceful applications of nuclear energy for development in over 40 countries of the world from 1976-2007 and currently a private consultant in radioactivity analysis. Michael is the recipient of the 2022 Arthur Holly Compton Award in Education granted by the American Nuclear Society.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Alpha RadiationI. IntroductionII. Decay EnergiesIII. Alpha Particle Interactions with MatterIV. Alpha Particle RangesChapter 2. Beta RadiationI. IntroductionII. NegatronsIII. PositronsIV. Beta-particle Absorption and TransmissionV. Stopping Power and Linear Energy TransferChapter 3. Gamma- and X-Radiation – PhotonsI. IntroductionII. Dual Nature: Wave and ParticleIII. Gamma RadiationIV. Annihilation RadiationV. Cherenkov RadiationVI. X-RadiationVII. BremsstrahlungVIII. Interactions of Electromagnetic Radiation with MatterChapter 4. Neutron RadiationI. IntroductionII. Neutron ClassificationIII. Sources of NeutronsIV. Interactions of Neutrons with MatterV. Neutron Attenuation and Cross SectionsVI. Neutron DecayChapter 5. Atomic Electron RadiationI. IntroductionII. Internal Conversion ElectronsIII. Auger ElectronsChapter 6. Cosmic RadiationI. IntroductionII. Classification and PropertiesIII. Showers of the Cosmic RadiationIV. Cosmic Rays UndergroundV. Origins of Cosmic RadiationVI. Cosmic Background RadiationVII. Dose from Cosmic Radiation and other SourcesChapter 7. Cherenkov RadiationI. IntroductionII. Theory and PropertiesIII. Cherenkov Photons from Gamma-ray InteractionsIV. Particle IdentificationV. Applications in Radionuclide AnalysisChapter 8. Radioisotope Decay, Radioactivity Units and Radionuclide MassI. IntroductionII. Half-lifeIII. General Decay EquationsIV. Secular EquilibriumV. Transient EquilibriumVI. No EquilibriumVII. More Complex Decay SchemesVIII. Radioactivity Units and Radionuclide Mass

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

An introduction to radioactivity from natural and artificial sources on earth to cosmic radiation

Editorial Reviews

CHOICE Magazine, July 2008: "This work provides an overview of the many interesting aspects of the science of radioactive decays, including in-depth chapters that offer reminiscences on the history and important personalities of the field ... The book can be useful as supplemental reading or as a reference when developing course material for nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, or health physics lectures. Special attention has been given to a chapter on the role radioactivity plays in everyday life applications...Generally the book is well produced and will be a valuable resource for the history of radioactivity. Many lectures can be lightened up by including material from this work. Summing up: RECOMMENDED. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals; technical program students." —U. Greife, Colorado School of Mines, USA

"I found the biographical accounts of the various stalwarts of Physics inspirational. Most of them, if not all, had to overcome economic hardships or personal tragedies or had to do their ground breaking work in the face of tyranny and war. The biographies also highlighted the high standards of moral convictions that the scientists had as they realized the grave implications of some of their work and the potential threat to humanity. This ought to inspire and motivate young men and women aspiring to be Physicists. Even people who have been in the field for a while should find your book re-energizing. It certainly had that effect on me." —Dr. Ramkumar Venkataraman, Canberra Industries, Inc., Meriden, CT, USA.

From the Publisher