SS2.4 (chem)

Front

What is alpha decay?

Back

Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons), resulting in a decrease of the atomic number by 2.

Front

What is beta decay?

Back

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a neutron in an atomic nucleus is transformed into a proton and an electron, resulting in an increase of the atomic number by 1.

Front

How does alpha decay affect the atomic number of an element?

Back

Alpha decay decreases the atomic number of an element by 2.

Front

How does beta decay affect the atomic number of an element?

Back

Beta decay increases the atomic number of an element by 1.

Front

If an element undergoes 2 alpha decays, what is the change in its atomic number?

Back

The atomic number decreases by 4 (2 x 2 = 4).

Front

If an element undergoes 3 beta decays, what is the change in its atomic number?

Back

The atomic number increases by 3 (3 x 1 = 3).

Front

What is the net charge of an atom after losing 1 electron?

Back

The net charge of the atom becomes +1.

Front

What happens to the number of electrons in an atom after it undergoes beta decay?

Back

The number of electrons increases by 1 if the atom is neutral.

Front

If an element has an atomic number of 30 and undergoes 1 alpha decay, what is the new atomic number?

Back

The new atomic number is 28 (30 - 2 = 28).

Front

If an element has an atomic number of 33 and undergoes 2 alpha decays and 1 beta decay, what is the resulting atomic number?

Back

The resulting atomic number is 33 - 4 + 1 = 30.