Unit 1: Radioactive decay

Front

What are alpha particles?

Back

Alpha particles are positively charged particles that consist of two protons and two neutrons.

Front

What happens to the atomic number of an element during gamma decay?

Back

The atomic number remains the same.

Front

What percent of a parent isotope remains after two half-lives?

Back

25% of the parent isotope remains after two half-lives.

Front

What type of nuclear radiation is emitted when an alpha particle is released?

Back

Alpha radiation is emitted.

Front

Define radioactive decay.

Back

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

Front

What is a half-life?

Back

A half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Front

What are beta particles?

Back

Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei.

Front

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

Back

In beta decay, the atomic number increases by one.

Front

What is gamma radiation?

Back

Gamma radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted from a radioactive nucleus.

Front

What is the difference between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation?

Back

Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei, beta radiation consists of electrons or positrons, and gamma radiation consists of high-energy photons.