Radioactivity: Expect the unexpected

A radioactive nucleus:

 

• Never emits a particle

• Spontaneously emits a particle but remains the same element

• Spontaneously emits a particle then changes to another element

• Never changes element

Alpha radiation:

 

• Is an electron emitted from the nucleus

• Passes through aluminium sheets

• Causes more ionization than beta

• Is the fastest-moving nuclear radiation

Gamma radiation:

 

 

Is easily stopped by paper

Is a particle

 

• Travels at the speed of light

• Is easily stopped by paper

• Is a particle

• Causes you to turn green when angry

Chemistry has taught us to expect stable nuclei.

• True

• False

The most serious effect of radiation on humans is:

 

• The damage it can cause to our skin

• The damage it can cause to our DNA

• There are no serious effects of radiation on humans

• It causes us to melt

A nucleus that undergoes beta decay 

• Emits a neutron and increases in atomic number.

• Emits a proton and increases in atomic number.

• Emits an electron and decreases in atomic number.

• Emits an electron and increases in atomic number.