Radiochemical methods of analysis take advantage of the instability of some elemental isotopes, which decay through the release of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and/or X-rays, provide f...Radiochemical methods of analysis take advantage of the instability of some elemental isotopes, which decay through the release of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and/or X-rays, provide for a selective analysis for one analyte in a complex mixture of other species without the need for a prior separation. In this chapter we review the basics of radioactive decay and its direct application to samples, and two other methods of importance: neutron activation and isotope dilution.
Certain elements spontaneously produced a variety of particles. The three basic classes of particles were identified as “alpha”, “beta”, and “gamma” particles. Alpha particles were positive, relativel...Certain elements spontaneously produced a variety of particles. The three basic classes of particles were identified as “alpha”, “beta”, and “gamma” particles. Alpha particles were positive, relatively massive and were showed to be identical to the nucleus of the helium atom. Beta particles had a very small mass and were of higher energy and they carried a negative charge. Gamma particles were much more energetic, appeared to be neutral and were comparable to a high-energy photon of light.
