Nuclear Decay & Transmutation

Nuclear Decay & Transmutation

Unit 4: Nuclear Theory

Multiple Choice

The process of the production of lighter nuclei from heavier nuclei is called

• mass energy
• magneticism
• fusion
• fission

Multiple Choice

When does radioactive decay occur?

• When the nucleus of an isotope is unstable
• When the nucleus of an isotope is stable
• When the electrons of an isotope are spinning
• When the electrons of an isotope are shared with another isotope

Transmutation

• Changing into another element through

radioactive decay

Alpha Decay

emits an alpha particle (atom made of 2 protons and 2 neutrons – helium)

Loses energy quickly Least penetrating radiation Can be stopped by a sheet of paper Can cause radiation burns Used in smoke detectors, pacemakers, static eliminators

Alpha Decay

Makes atomic number become 2 less and mass number become 4 less

Alpha Decay

• Radiation through the loss of 2p + 2n or

(helium)

Multiple Choice

A helium nucleus with two protons and two neutrons is called a(n) ____.  

• alpha particle
• electroscope
• beta particle
• gamma ray

Multiple Choice

Alpha particles (alpha decay) are comprised of

• 2 Protons & 2 Neutrons

• 4 Neutrons & 2 Electrons

• an electron

• an energy wave

Multiple Choice

What is the symbol for an alpha particle?

• ⁴₂He

• ⁰_-1e

• ⁰₊₁ e

• ¹₀n

Multiple Choice

In the symbol ²⁰⁶₈₂Pb what does 206 stand for?

• Mass number
• Atomic number
• Atomic mass
• Number of protons

Multiple Choice

In alpha decay, the mass number...

• increases by 2

• decreases by 2

• increases by 4

• decreases by 4

Multiple Choice

In alpha decay, the atomic number...

• increases by 2

• decreases by 2

• increases by 4

• decreases by 4

Question 3a

Balance the nuclear equation after alpha
decay

Question 3a

Balance the nuclear equation after alpha
decay

Multiple Choice

If Gadolinium-150 goes through alpha decay, the resulting element has a new atomic mass of _____.

• 150
• 148
• 146

Multiple Choice

Solve this equation for alpha decay.
₈₅²⁰⁹At = ___ + ₂⁴He

• ₈₃²⁰⁵Bi
• ₈₆²⁰⁹Rn
• ₈₁²⁰⁷Tl
• ₈₅²⁰⁸At

Multiple Choice

Solve this equation for alpha decay.
₈₈²²⁶Ra = ___ + ₂⁴He

• ₈₆²²²Rn
• ₈₉²²⁶Ac
• ₈₄²²⁴Po
• ₈₈²²⁵Ra

Beta Decay

neutron decays into a proton and emits an electron (Beta particle)

Caused by a weak force

Much faster and more penetrating

Stopped by sheet of aluminum foil

Beta Decay

Can cause radiation burns and some cell damage

Used to treat eye and bone cancer, quality control in paper making

Makes atomic number increase

by 1 and mass number stays the same

Beta Decay

• Radiation where a neutron splits, giving off

an electron and becoming a proton in the
new element

Multiple Choice

Beta particles (Beta decay) are comprised of

• 2 Protons & 2 Neutrons

• 4 Neutrons & 2 Electrons

• an electron

• an energy wave

Multiple Choice

In beta decay, the mass number

• the mass number decreases by 1

• the mass number does not change

• the mass number increases by 1

Multiple Choice

In beta decay, the atomic number

• the atomic number does not change

• the atomic number increases by 1

• the atomic number decreases by 1

Multiple Choice

In the equation,  ¹⁴₆C --> ¹⁴₇N + ⁰_-1e, the _______ decay of radioactive carbon-14 results in the creation of a new nitrogen-14 atom.

• Radioactive
• Beta
• Alpha

Question 3b

Balance the nuclear equation after beta decay

Remember in beta decay a neutron changes into a proton by giving off an
electron

Question 3b

Balance the nuclear equation after beta decay

Remember in beta decay a neutron changes into a proton by giving off an
electron

Multiple Choice

Solve this equation for beta decay.
₆¹⁴C = ___ + _-1⁰e

• ₄¹⁰Be
• ₇¹⁴N
• ₂¹⁰He
• ₆¹³C

Multiple Choice

Solve this equation for beta decay.
₂₇⁶⁰Co = ___ + _-1⁰e

• ₂₅⁵⁶Mn
• ₂₈⁶⁰Ni
• ₂₃⁵⁸V
• ₂₇⁵⁹Co

Multiple Choice

What type of decay is being illustrated in following picture? 

• beta decay
• alpha decay 

Multiple Choice

What type of radioactive decay is happening?

• Alpha

• Beta

• Gamma

Multiple Choice

What type of radioactive decay is happening?

• Alpha

• Beta

• Gamma

Multiple Choice

What type of radioactive decay is happening?

• Alpha

• Beta

• Gamma

Multiple Choice

What type of radioactive decay is happening?

• Alpha

• Beta

• Gamma

Multiple Choice

Alpha or beta decay:
¹⁴₆C --> ⁰_-1e + ________

• Alpha

• Beta

Multiple Choice

What type of radioactive decay is happening?

• Alpha

• Beta

• Gamma

Multiple Choice

Balance the equation:
¹⁴₆C --> ⁰_-1e + ________

• ¹⁴₅B
• ¹⁴₆C
• ¹⁴₇N
• ⁴₂He

Multiple Choice

Alpha or beta decay?
₉₂²³⁸U = ___ + ₂⁴He

• Alpha

• Beta

Multiple Choice

Balance the equation:
₉₂²³⁸U = ___ + ₂⁴He

• ²³⁸₉₂U

• ²³⁴₉₀Th

• ²³⁰₈₈Ra

• ²³⁸₉₃Np

Draw

Complete the following equation

Draw

Complete the following equation

Multiple Choice

Which reaction represents fusion?

Transmutation Practice

Complete "Decay & Transmutation Practice" in your Guided Notes!