nuclear decay review

Front

What happens during beta decay?

Back

A nucleus gains a proton and loses a neutron.

Front

What is the result of uranium undergoing neutron emission?

Back

U 238/92 --> n 1/0 + U 237/92

Front

What is the result of carbon-14 undergoing neutron emission?

Back

C 14/6 --> n 1/0 + C 13/6

Front

List the three types of nuclear radiation in increasing order of penetrating power.

Back

Alpha, beta, gamma.

Front

What can happen to a radioactive element after its nucleus undergoes changes?

Back

It can transform into a different isotope of the same element or an entirely different element.

Front

What is alpha radiation?

Back

Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei (2 protons and 2 neutrons) emitted from a radioactive atom.

Front

What is beta radiation?

Back

Beta radiation consists of high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei.

Front

What is gamma radiation?

Back

Gamma radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted from a radioactive nucleus, having no mass and no charge.

Front

What is the difference between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation in terms of mass and charge?

Back

Alpha particles have mass and positive charge, beta particles have negligible mass and negative charge (or positive for positrons), and gamma rays have no mass and no charge.

Front

What is a half-life in nuclear decay?

Back

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