Radioactivity

Front

What is radioactivity?

Back

Radioactivity is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation. This can occur in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays.

Front

What is a mass number?

Back

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus.

Front

How do you calculate the number of neutrons in an atom?

Back

Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number.

Front

What are alpha particles?

Back

Alpha particles are positively charged particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons, emitted during radioactive decay.

Front

What are beta particles?

Back

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

Front

What are gamma rays?

Back

Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay, with no mass or charge.

Front

What happens to the atomic number during alpha decay?

Back

During alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2.

Front

What happens to the atomic number during beta decay?

Back

During beta decay, the atomic number increases by 1.

Front

What is a radioactive nuclide?

Back

A radioactive nuclide is an isotope of an element that is unstable and can undergo radioactive decay.

Front

What is half-life?

Back

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