Nuclear Decay Quiz

What is the new element formed when uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay?

• Polonium

• Lead

• Thorium

• Radium

How many protons are lost from the nucleus during alpha decay of uranium-238?

• 4

• 1

• 2

• 3

What is the atomic number of the new element formed after uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay?

• 90

• 89

• 91

• 88

In beta decay, what transformation occurs within the nucleus?

• A proton changes into an electron

• An electron changes into a proton

• A neutron changes into a proton

• A proton changes into a neutron

What is the new element formed when carbon-14 undergoes beta decay?

• Fluorine

• Boron

• Nitrogen

• Oxygen

What is the symbol for a beta particle in nuclear equations?

• 0/0 γ

• 1/0 n

• 0/-1 e

• 4/2 He

What remains unchanged in the nucleus during beta decay?

• Number of electrons

• Mass number

• Atomic number

• Number of protons

What is the primary characteristic of gamma radiation?

• It has no mass and no charge

• It has mass but no charge

• It has charge but no mass

• It has mass and charge

What happens to the element when gamma radiation is emitted?

• It gains neutrons

• It loses protons

• It remains the same element

• It changes to a new element

Which type of nuclear decay involves the release of energy without changing the element?

• Alpha decay

• Gamma radiation

• Beta decay

• Neutron emission