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(Savvas 10.1 and 10.2) Radioactivity & Rate of Decay

Total questions: 22

Worksheet time: 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Describe radioactivity.

a)

Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from the nucleus of an unstable atom.

b)

Radioactivity is the process of absorbing energy from the environment.

c)

Radioactivity is the emission of light from stable atoms.

d)

Radioactivity is the movement of electrons in an atom's outer shell.

2.

A radioisotope is any atom that contains an unstable _______________.

a)

nucleus

b)

electron

c)

proton

d)

neutron

3.

Identify the two events that take place during beta decay. (Mark two answers.)

a)

A proton decomposes into a neutron and an electron.

b)

A neutron decomposes into a proton and an electron.

c)

An electron is emitted from the nucleus.

d)

A neutron is emitted from the nucleus.

4.

Why are beta particles more penetrating than alpha particles?

a)

Because beta particles have less mass and charge than alpha particles

b)

Because beta particles move slower than alpha particles

c)

Because beta particles are larger than alpha particles

d)

Because beta particles are positively charged

5.

A gamma ray is

a)

a type of visible light.

b)

a form of electromagnetic radiation with high energy.

c)

a sound wave.

d)

a particle with mass.

6.

Gamma rays travel through space at what speed?

a)

The speed of sound

b)

The speed of light

c)

Slower than light

d)

Faster than light

7.

One potential danger of radon gas is that prolonged exposure to it can lead to lung cancer.

a)

True

b)

False

8.

Name two devices that are used to detect nuclear radiation.

a)

Geiger counter, Film Badge

b)

Thermometer, Barometer

c)

Voltmeter, Ammeter

d)

Microscope, Telescope

9.

How many neutrons does this isotope of magnesium have?

a)

37

b)

25

c)

12

d)

13

10.

How many protons does this isotope of magnesium have?

a)

37

b)

25

c)

12

d)

13

11.

How many electrons does this isotope of magnesium have?

a)

37

b)

25

c)

12

d)

13

12.

A half-life is

a)

the time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay.

b)

the time it takes for a substance to double in amount.

c)

the time it takes for a substance to completely decay.

d)

the time it takes for a substance to change state.

13.

How much of the original sample of a radioisotope is unchanged after two half-lives?

a)

All of the original sample is changed.

b)

One quarter of the original sample is unchanged.

c)

Half of the original sample is unchanged.

d)

Three quarters of the original sample is unchanged.

14.

Plants and animals continue to absorb carbon from the atmosphere after they die.

a)

True

b)

False

15.

After the third half-life, how much of the sample is unchanged?

a)
1/2
b)
1/3
c)

1/6

d)
1/8
16.
For which of the following problems would a scientist most likely use carbon-14? 
a)
to calculate the age of the Earth's oldest rocks
b)
to calculate the age of a piece of bone 
c)
to identify the elements that make up a rock 
d)
to identify the elements that make up a bone
17.

What is the half life of this isotope?

a)

3 days

b)

5 days

c)

8 days

d)

10 days

18.
What is the symbol for an alpha particle?
a)
42He
b)
0-1e
c)
0+1 e
d)
10n
19.
Balance the following equation:
146C --> 0-1e + ________
a)
145B
b)
146C
c)
147N
d)
42He
20.

Which type of radiation has the highest penetrating power?  Several centimeters thick of lead or several meters thick of concrete cannot stop all of it.

a)
Alpha
b)
Beta
c)
Gamma
21.

Which type of nuclear radiation has the lowest penetrating power?  This radiation can only penetrate 0.05 mm into the body and can be stopped by a piece of paper or clothing.

a)
Alpha
b)
Beta
c)
Gamma
22.

An alpha particle is made of

a)

two protons and two neutrons

b)

one proton and one neutron

c)

two neutrons

d)

two protons