Radioactive Decay

Match the radioactive decay particle with its description.

• beta particle

• an electron

• gamma ray

• A helium nucleus (2 p⁺, 2 n⁰)

• alpha particle

• wave of energy

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Match the symbol to the particle type

a

b

c

beta particle

alpha particle

gamma ray

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Match each particle to the correct arrow showing what stops the particle.

a

b

c

gamma

beta

alpha

Rank the follow radioactive decay types from lowest to highest energy. 1 is lowest.

• beta decay

• alpha decay

• gamma decay

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

During ​ (a)   decay, a large, unstable isotope decays producing a/n ​ (b)   and the atom becomes ​ (c)   in size and becomes a new element.

• alpha
• helium nucleus
• smaller
• beta
• gamma
• electron
• larger

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

During​ (a)   decay, a transformation takes place. A ​ (b)   turns into a ​ (c)   producing a/n ​ (d)   . The mass number does not change, but the ​ (e)   number increases turning the atom into a new element.

• beta
• neutron
• proton
• electron
• atomic
• gamma
• alpha

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Alpha Decay is a type of nuclear fission reaction because it splits one atom into two atoms.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What is alpha decay?

• The process by which a nucleus emits an electron

• The release of electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus

• The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei

• The emission of 2 protons and 2 neutrons from the nucleus

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What is a beta particle made of?

• One proton

• A helium particle

• One electron

• One proton and one neutron

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

During beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus of an atom is transformed into:

• A proton and emits a gamma ray

• A proton and emits an electron

• An alpha particle

• A proton and a neutron

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8