Radioactive Decay Quiz

What term is used to describe the transformation of one element or isotope into another?

• Transmutation

• Fusion

• Fission

• Decay

Radioactive decay leads to the transformation of a nucleus into what?

• A stable isotope

• A different nucleus

• A similar nucleus

• A molecule

What is the term for the time it takes for half of a radioactive sample to decay?

• Decay period

• Half-life

• Radioactive interval

• Isotope duration

Ionizing radiation is a type of energy that is capable of what?

• Heating up substances

• Removing electrons from atoms

• Creating new elements

• Increasing atomic mass

Uranium-238 decays into thorium-234 by releasing what type of particles?

• Alpha particles

• Beta particles

• Gamma rays

• Neutrons

What is the term for the type of radioactive decay that involves the emission of electrons or positrons?

• Alpha decay

• Beta decay

• Gamma decay

• Neutron emission

Gamma decay is characterized by the release of what?

• Protons

• Neutrons

• Electrons

• Electromagnetic radiation

What occurs during gamma decay?

• An atom splits into two lighter atoms

• An atom emits a helium nucleus

• An atom releases electromagnetic radiation

• An atom captures an electron

Which type of radioactive decay occurs without any outside help and at a very slow rate?

• Alpha decay

• Beta decay

• Gamma decay

• Spontaneous fission