Radioactive Decay and Half Life

Front

What is radioactive decay?

Back

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, resulting in the transformation of the element into a different element or isotope.

Front

What is half-life?

Back

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

Front

What are the three main types of radioactive decay?

Back

The three main types of radioactive decay are alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay.

Front

What is alpha decay?

Back

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons), resulting in a new element with a lower atomic number.

Front

What is beta decay?

Back

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a neutron in an atomic nucleus is transformed into a proton and an electron, with the electron being emitted as a beta particle.

Front

What is gamma decay?

Back

Gamma decay is a type of radioactive decay that involves the emission of gamma rays, which are high-energy electromagnetic waves, from an excited nucleus.

Front

How do you calculate the remaining quantity of a radioactive substance after a certain number of half-lives?

Back

To calculate the remaining quantity, use the formula: Remaining Quantity = Initial Quantity × (1/2)^(number of half-lives).

Front

What is the atomic number?

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The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

Front

What is the mass number?

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

Front

What is a decay chain?

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A decay chain is a series of radioactive decays that an unstable isotope undergoes until it reaches a stable isotope.