Radioactive decay

This term refers to the amount of time it takes for half of a certain substance to undergo radioactive decay.

• alpha life

• beta life

• radioactivity time

• half-life

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

In alpha decay, a ________ particle breaks off of an atom.

• hydrogen

• helium

• carbon

• lithium

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

How many total protons and neutrons does an alpha particle (i.e. a helium atom) have?

• 1

• 2

• 4

• 8

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Which force is responsible for beta decay?

• Electromagnetism

• Weak force

• Strong force

• Gravity

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

In beta decay, a(n) ___________ is emitted.

• gamma ray

• electron

• neutron

• helium particle

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What happens to an atom's atomic number when it undergoes alpha decay?

• decreases by 1

• decreases by 2

• increases by 1

• increases by 2

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

In gamma emission, ___________ is emitted.

• an electron

• a proton

• energy waves

• none of the above

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

When an atom undergoes gamma ray radiation, its atomic number...

• increases by 1

• decreases by 1

• decreases by 2

• does not change

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Gamma rays have

• no mass

• a huge mass

• a small mass

• an average mass

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

What particle completes this reaction?

• alpha particle
• beta particle
• gamma particle
• neutron

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8