Nuclear Decay Practice

Gamma decay requires a minimum material to stop it. Which material is it?

• Paper

• Aluminum

• Lead

• Water

Answer explanation

Gamma decay is highly penetrating and requires dense materials to stop it. Lead is the most effective among the options listed, as it has a high atomic number and density, making it suitable for shielding against gamma radiation.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Fill in the blank: The emitted particle in Alpha decay is a ____.

• Neutron

• Proton

• Helium nucleus

• Electron

Answer explanation

In alpha decay, an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, which is essentially a helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons). Therefore, the correct answer is 'Helium nucleus'.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Fill in the blank: The emitted particle in Gamma decay is a ____.

• Neutron

• Proton

• Helium nucleus

• Photon(Light)

Answer explanation

In Gamma decay, the nucleus releases energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation, specifically a photon. This distinguishes it from other types of decay, which involve particles like neutrons or protons.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Which type of decay is the most penetrating?

• Alpha

• Beta

• Gamma

• Delta

Answer explanation

Gamma decay is the most penetrating type of radiation. Unlike alpha and beta particles, which can be stopped by paper or a few millimeters of aluminum, gamma rays can penetrate through several centimeters of lead or concrete.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What does the term "half-life" mean?

• This is the amount of time it takes for something to decay completely.

• This is the amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive element to decay.

• This is the amount of time it takes for an element to become stable.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Complete the nuclear equation and determine the type of decay that is occurring in this reaction.

• alpha, ⁴₂He

• beta, ⁰_-1e

• gamma

• none

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

The type of radioactive particle that can be stopped by a sheet of paper is the ____.

• alpha particle

• beta particle

• gamma ray

• uranium

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Complete the nuclear equation and determine the type of decay that is occurring in this reaction. 

• Alpha

• Beta

• Gamma

• None

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

During alpha decay, a nucleus .... 

• gives up two protons and two neutrons.

•   maintains the same number of protons and neutrons.

•   loses a proton and gains a neutron.

• gains a proton and loses a neutron. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

When the nucleus of an atom of neon-19 decays, which particle is emitted?

• positron

• beta particle

• alpha particle

• gamma radiation

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8