Radioactive Decay

Front

What is the mass number in a nuclear symbol?

Back

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

Front

What type of nuclear radiation is emitted during beta decay?

Back

Beta radiation is a type of nuclear radiation that involves the emission of beta particles, which are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons.

Front

How is an alpha particle represented in a nuclear equation?

Back

An alpha particle is represented as \( \text{ } ^4_2\text{He} \text{ } \) in a nuclear equation.

Front

What do radioactive materials have that makes them unstable?

Back

Radioactive materials have unstable nuclei.

Front

What is the result of beta decay for the equation \( \text{ } ^6_{14}\text{C} = ? + \text{ } ^0_{-1}\text{e} \text{ } \)?

Back

The result of beta decay is \( \text{ } ^7_{14}\text{N} \text{ } \).

Front

What is radioactive decay?

Back

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

Front

What are the three main types of nuclear radiation?

Back

The three main types of nuclear radiation are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.

Front

What is an alpha particle composed of?

Back

An alpha particle is composed of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, making it identical to a helium nucleus.

Front

What happens to the atomic number during beta decay?

Back

During beta decay, the atomic number increases by 1 as a neutron is converted into a proton.

Front

What is the symbol for a beta particle?

Back

The symbol for a beta particle is \( \text{ } ^0_{-1}\text{e} \text{ } \).