Alpha and Beta Decay

Front

What is alpha decay?

Back

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle, consisting of 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 beta particle (an electron or positron) is emitted from an atomic nucleus, transforming a neutron into a proton or vice versa.

Front

What is a half-life?

Back

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

Front

If the half-life of a radioactive substance is 4 days, how much of a 200-g sample is left after 16 days?

Back

12.5g

Front

What is the product of Uranium-238 undergoing alpha decay?

Back

Thorium-234

Front

What is the relative charge of a positron?

Back

1

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

An isotope is an atom of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Front

What is the symbol for a beta particle?

Back

β

Front

What happens to the atomic number during alpha decay?

Back

The atomic number decreases by 2.

Front

What happens to the atomic number during beta decay?

Back

The atomic number increases by 1.