Radioactivity: Introduction and History

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

Chapter 1. Alpha Radiation
I. Introduction
II. Decay Energies
III. Alpha Particle Interactions with Matter
IV. Alpha Particle Ranges
Chapter 2. Beta Radiation
I. Introduction
II. Negatrons
III. Positrons
IV. Beta-particle Absorption and Transmission
V. Stopping Power and Linear Energy Transfer
Chapter 3. Gamma- and X-Radiation - Photons
I. Introduction
II. Dual Nature: Wave and Particle
III. Gamma Radiation
IV. Annihilation Radiation
V. Cherenkov Radiation
VI. X-Radiation
VII. Bremsstrahlung
VIII. Interactions of Electromagnetic Radiation with Matter
Chapter 4. Neutron Radiation
I. Introduction
II. Neutron Classification
III. Sources of Neutrons
IV. Interactions of Neutrons with Matter
V. Neutron Attenuation and Cross Sections
VI. Neutron Decay
Chapter 5. Atomic Electron Radiation
I. Introduction
II. Internal Conversion Electrons
III. Auger Electrons
Chapter 6. Cosmic Radiation
I. Introduction
II. Classification and Properties
III. Showers of the Cosmic Radiation
IV. Cosmic Rays Underground
V. Origins of Cosmic Radiation
VI. Cosmic Background Radiation
VII. Dose from Cosmic Radiation and other Sources
Chapter 7. Cherenkov Radiation
I. Introduction
II. Theory and Properties
III. Cherenkov Photons from Gamma-ray Interactions
IV. Particle Identification
V. Applications in Radionuclide Analysis
Chapter 8. Radioisotope Decay, Radioactivity Units and Radionuclide Mass
I. Introduction
II. Half-life
III. General Decay Equations
IV. Secular Equilibrium
V. Transient Equilibrium
VI. No Equilibrium
VII. More Complex Decay Schemes
VIII. Radioactivity Units and Radionuclide Mass