Radioactive decay 2024

Front

What does it mean when an element is radioactive?

Back

The atom will emit radiation; The nucleus is unstable due to uneven proton to neutron ratio; The nuclei changes to become more stable; all of the above.

Front

The parent atom will undergo radioactive/nuclear decay in order to become ___?

Back

a more STABLE daughter atom.

Front

What is the n/p ratio of Al-30?

Back

1.3.

Front

Hydrogen-3 is unstable because it has 1 p+ and ___ n which ____ a 1:1 ratio.

Back

2, is NOT.

Front

What happens to the atomic number of the radioisotope after alpha decay?

Back

The atomic number decreases by 2.

Front

Define radioactive decay.

Back

The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

Front

What is a daughter atom?

Back

The product of the decay of a parent atom.

Front

What type of radiation is emitted during alpha decay?

Back

Helium nuclei (2 protons and 2 neutrons).

Front

What is the significance of the n/p ratio in nuclear stability?

Back

A balanced n/p ratio indicates stability; an imbalance can lead to radioactive decay.

Front

What is beta decay?

Back

A type of radioactive decay where a neutron is transformed into a proton, emitting an electron.