Radioactive decay equations, half-life and background radiation

By the end you’ll be able to

• describe radioactive decay as a random and spontaneous process in which an unstable nucleus emits radiation
• write and balance nuclear equations for alpha decay, beta decay and gamma emission using mass number and atomic number conservation
• define half-life as the time taken for the number of undecayed nuclei, or the count rate or activity, to fall to half its value