Talk:Radioactivity

Implications of Quantum mechanics should go here, i.e., the "random" nature of radioactive decay. --Ed Poor ^Talk 14:57, 8 July 2008 (EDT)

I deleted the page, because it refers to "particles" in a misleading way. Also, I understand from high school physics that there two kinds of radioactivity:

1. Electromagnetic: X-rays, etc.
2. Sub-atomic particles, like neutrons; see nuclear radiation

We need a simple, basic article that explains how your dentist's assistant makes X-ray pictures of your teeth - and whether it's as dangerous to your reproductive organs as taking a plane trip from NY to LA. It should also explain the nuclear reaction which generates electricity - and why the US is safer in this than the Soviets were; see Chernobyl. The basis for atomic weapons should also be explained.

Other topics include background radiation, cosmic rays, and the medical use of radiation, as in cancer therapy. --Ed Poor ^Talk 16:32, 8 July 2008 (EDT)

Xrays are neither radioactivity nor produced by radioactivity. An Xray is produced in a cathode ray tube (akin to a traditional television). A gamma ray is produced when a proton is converted into a neutron. This sends a neutrino and a positron out of the nucleus. The positron immediately interacts with an electron and they annihilate each other. This produces two 511 keV photons which are in the Gamma ray range of the spectrum. This form of radiation is used in positron emission tomography.

In essence, all radioactivity is the emission of a particle of some sort or another. Any photons or electromagnetic waves (depending on how you want to think about it) is the result of an antiparticle annihilating.

It is also important to to confuse radiation with radioactivity. The two are separate and distinct concepts. --Rutm 18:03, 8 July 2008 (EDT)