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Radioactive decay

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 19mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

How is the alpha particle written in a nuclear equation?

a)

42He

b)

24He

c)

0-1e

d)

00γ

2.
A helium nucleus with two protons and two neutrons is called a(n) ____.  
a)
alpha particle
b)
electroscope
c)
beta particle
d)
gamma ray
3.
Which type of nuclear radiation is being emitted here?
a)
Alpha
b)
beta
c)
gamma 
d)
none
4.
Solve this equation for alpha decay.
85209At = ___ + 24He
a)
83205Bi
b)
86209Rn
c)
81207Tl
d)
85208At
5.

Gamma rays have

a)

no mass

b)

a huge mass

c)

a small mass

d)

an average mass

6.
Solve this equation for beta decay.
614C = ___ + -10e
a)
410Be
b)
714N
c)
210He
d)
613C
7.

The nucleus is held together by the ___________________________force.

a)

The Strong Nuclear Force

b)

The Weak Nuclear Force

c)

Electromagnetism

d)

Gravity

8.
Has the symbol
a)
Alpha
b)
Beta 
c)
Gamma
9.
Has the highest penetrating power.  Can penetrate our body.  Even several cm thick of lead or several meters thick of concrete cannot stop all of it.
a)
Alpha
b)
Beta
c)
Gamma
10.
Uranium-238  decays into  Thorium-234  by emitting .........
a)
an alpha particle
b)
a beta particle
c)
gamma rays
d)
visible light
11.
The process of nuclear change in an atom of radioactive material is called... 
a)
nuclear decay
b)
nuclear mass
c)
isotopes
d)
radon
12.
Radioactive materials have unstable...
a)
electrons
b)
protons
c)
nuclei
d)
neutrons
13.
In a correctly written symbol what would be located in the "A" position?
a)
number of neutrons
b)
atomic number
c)
number of electrons 
d)
mass number
14.

In a correctly written symbol what would be located in the "Z" position?

a)

number of neutrons

b)

atomic number

c)

number of electrons

d)

mass number

15.
Solve this equation for alpha decay.
85209At = ___ + 24He
a)
83205Bi
b)
86209Rn
c)
81207Tl
d)
85208At
16.
Solve this equation for beta decay.
614C = ___ + -10e
a)
410Be
b)
714N
c)
210He
d)
613C
17.

What two subatomic particles are found in an atom's nucleus?

a)

Protons and neutrons

b)

neutrons and electrons

c)

electrons and protons

18.

What is likely to happen to unstable nuclei with too many, or too few, neutrons?

a)

They will decay by emitting radiation.

b)

They will loose all their electrons.

c)

They will bond with other atoms.

19.

What could an unstable nucleus emit?

a)

Alpha, gamma, beta, and sometimes a neutron.

b)

Alpha, beta, gamma, and sometimes delta

c)

Alpha, beta, delta, and sometimes gamma

20.

If the nucleus has too few neutrons, it will emit two protons and two neutrons called ___________.

a)

an alpha particle

b)

a beta particle

c)

a neutron

d)

gamma radiation

21.

Alpha decay causes the mass number of the nucleus to decrease by ________ and the atomic number of the nucleus to decrease by _______.

a)

four, two

b)

two, four

c)

one, two

d)

two, three

22.

If the nucleus has too many neutrons, a neutron will turn into a proton and emit a fast-moving electron. This process is known as ___________.

a)

alpha radiation

b)

beta radiation

c)

gamma radiation

d)

neutron radiation

23.

What observation suggests the atom is mostly empty space?

a)

Most alpha particle travel straight through.

b)

Some alpha particles are deflected at small angles.

c)

Occasionally an alpha particle come straight back.

24.

What type of radiation is the most penetrating?

a)

Alpha

b)

Beta

c)

Gamma

25.

What subatomic particle determines the name of the element?

a)

Electron

b)

Proton

c)

Neutron

d)

Boson