Radioactive Decay and Isotopes

The video tutorial explains radioactive decay, its significance in determining rock ages, and the chemistry basics needed to understand it. It covers the structure of atoms, the periodic table, and the concept of isotopes. The tutorial details how unstable isotopes undergo radioactive decay, transforming into different elements, and introduces the concept of parent and daughter isotopes.

What is the primary purpose of studying radioactive decay in geology?

• To identify the mineral content of rocks

• To determine the age of rock layers

• To measure the density of rocks

• To understand the chemical composition of rocks

Which subatomic particle has a positive charge?

• Electron

• Neutron

• Photon

• Proton

What does the number above an element in the periodic table represent?

• Number of protons

• Number of neutrons

• Atomic weight

• Number of electrons

How many neutrons does a stable helium atom have if its atomic number is 2 and its atomic mass is 4?

• 2

• 4

• 1

• 3

What is an isotope?

• An element with a different number of protons

• An element with a different number of electrons

• An element with a different number of neutrons

• An element with a different atomic number

What makes an element radioactive?

• Having more electrons than protons

• Being a noble gas

• Having an unstable nucleus

• Having a balanced number of protons and neutrons

What happens to an element when it undergoes radioactive decay?

• It becomes a different element

• It becomes a noble gas

• It gains more electrons

• It loses its atomic mass

What is the term for the original isotope in a radioactive decay process?

• Parent isotope

• Stable isotope

• Daughter isotope

• Neutral isotope

Which element does oxygen-18 become after losing two protons and two neutrons?

• Boron

• Nitrogen

• Helium

• Carbon

What is the final stable element formed from the decay of oxygen-18 in the example given?

• Helium

• Carbon

• Boron

• Nitrogen