Radioactive Decay

Front

What is radioactive decay?

Back

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, resulting in the transformation of the element into a different element or isotope.

Front

What are the two main types of radioactive decay?

Back

The two main types of radioactive decay are alpha decay and beta decay.

Front

What is alpha decay?

Back

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons), resulting in a new element with a lower atomic number.

Front

What is beta decay?

Back

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a neutron in an atomic nucleus is transformed into a proton and an electron, with the electron being emitted as a beta particle.

Front

What happens to the atomic number during alpha decay?

Back

During alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2.

Front

What happens to the atomic number during beta decay?

Back

During beta decay, the atomic number increases by 1.

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

An isotope is an atom of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Front

How do you represent an isotope in notation?

Back

An isotope is represented in notation as A/Z Element, where A is the mass number (protons + neutrons) and Z is the atomic number (number of protons).

Front

What is the result of Protactinium (Pa) decaying by beta decay?

Back

If Protactinium (Pa) decays by beta decay, it becomes Uranium (U).

Front

What is the result of Protactinium (Pa) decaying by alpha decay?

Back

If Protactinium (Pa) decays by alpha decay, it becomes Actinium (Ac).