Alpha, Beta, & Gamma Decay
Authored by Jenifer Hester
Chemistry
9th - 12th Grade
NGSS covered
Used 1K+ times
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About
This quiz addresses nuclear chemistry, specifically focusing on the three primary types of radioactive decay: alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Based on the complexity of nuclear notation, penetrating power comparisons, and nuclear equation balancing, this material is appropriate for high school chemistry students in grades 9-12. Students need a solid understanding of atomic structure, including protons, neutrons, and electrons, as well as the relationship between atomic number and mass number. The core concepts required include recognizing the particles emitted during each type of decay (helium nuclei for alpha, electrons or positrons for beta, electromagnetic radiation for gamma), understanding how each decay type affects atomic number and mass number, comparing penetrating abilities and shielding requirements, and balancing nuclear equations using conservation of mass and atomic numbers. Students must also grasp the concept of nuclear instability as the driving force behind radioactive decay and understand the practical applications and health implications of radiation exposure. Created by Jenifer Hester, a Chemistry teacher in US who teaches grade 9-12. This comprehensive assessment serves as an excellent tool for evaluating student understanding of radioactive decay processes and can be effectively implemented as a unit review, formative assessment, or homework assignment to reinforce key nuclear chemistry concepts. The quiz works particularly well as a warm-up activity to gauge prior knowledge before introducing more advanced nuclear topics or as a review session before summative assessments. Teachers can use individual questions for targeted practice on specific decay types or assign the complete quiz to assess overall comprehension of nuclear radiation principles. The varied question formats, including multiple choice and true/false items, allow students to demonstrate their knowledge through different approaches while building confidence with nuclear notation and decay calculations. This assessment aligns with NGSS HS-PS1-8 (developing models to illustrate nuclear processes) and supports Common Core mathematical practices in scientific notation and equation balancing.
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25 questions
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1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What is emitted during Beta Radiation?
Tags
NGSS.HS-PS1-8
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which of these is associated with Alpha Radiation?
Tags
NGSS.HS-PS1-8
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What is emitted during Gamma Radiation?
Tags
NGSS.HS-PS1-8
NGSS.HS-PS4-3
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which of these is associated with Beta Radiation?
Tags
NGSS.HS-PS1-8
5.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
TRUE or FALSE: gamma changes the atomic number.
Tags
NGSS.HS-PS1-8
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What is the most penetrating radiation?
Tags
NGSS.HS-PS1-8
7.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Radiation can cause what?
Tags
NGSS.HS-LS3-2
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