PS 10.1/10.2 Review

Front

What is an alpha particle?

Back

A positively charged particle made up of two protons and two neutrons.

Front

What is a gamma ray?

Back

A penetrating ray of electromagnetic energy emitted by an unstable nucleus.

Front

Can radiocarbon dating be used to date any carbon-containing object, no matter how old it is?

Back

False. Radiocarbon dating is effective for dating objects up to about 50,000 years old.

Front

What happens to atoms during nuclear decay?

Back

Atoms of one element can change into atoms of a completely different element.

Front

What happens to carbon-14 levels when a plant or animal dies?

Back

The carbon-14 levels decrease.

Front

What is a beta particle?

Back

A high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted during radioactive decay.

Front

What is a radioisotope?

Back

An isotope of an element that is unstable and emits radiation.

Front

What is the significance of half-life in radioactive decay?

Back

Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Front

What type of radiation is emitted during alpha decay?

Back

Alpha particles are emitted during alpha decay.

Front

What is the difference between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation?

Back

Alpha radiation consists of heavy particles, beta radiation consists of electrons or positrons, and gamma radiation consists of electromagnetic waves.