Nature of Radioactive Decay

What is a radioactive isotope?

• An element that emits radiation due to its high stability

• An unstable form of an element that emits radiation as it decays to a stable form.

• A type of chemical compound used in nuclear reactors

• A stable form of an element that emits radiation

How does a radioactive isotope differ from a stable isotope?

• Stable isotopes have unstable nuclei that decay.

• Radioactive isotopes have higher atomic numbers than stable isotopes.

• Radioactive isotopes have unstable nuclei that decay, while stable isotopes have stable nuclei that do not decay.

• Radioactive isotopes have stable nuclei that do not decay.

What is the process by which a radioactive isotope emits radiation?

• Radioactive decay

• Isotopic radiation

• Radioactive emission

• Radiation release

What are the three common types of radioactive decay?

• Delta decay

• Alpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay

• Epsilon decay

• Zeta decay

Explain the concept of alpha decay.

• Alpha decay is the absorption of an alpha particle by the nucleus of an atom.

• Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle from the nucleus of an atom.

• Alpha decay results in the formation of a beta particle.

• Alpha decay is a process where an electron is emitted from the nucleus of an atom.

Describe the process of beta decay.

• Beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle (electron or positron) from an unstable atomic nucleus, leading to the conversion of a neutron into a proton or vice versa.

• Beta decay involves the emission of an alpha particle from an unstable atomic nucleus.

• Beta decay results in the conversion of a proton into a neutron.

• Beta decay is a process that leads to the formation of a stable atomic nucleus.

What is gamma decay and how does it differ from alpha and beta decay?

• Gamma decay is the emission of gamma rays from an unstable atomic nucleus, differing from alpha and beta decay by not involving the emission of particles.

• Gamma decay is a process where the nucleus absorbs particles, contrary to alpha and beta decay.

• Gamma decay is the emission of alpha particles from an unstable atomic nucleus.

• Gamma decay involves the emission of electrons, unlike alpha and beta decay.

How is the half-life of a radioactive isotope defined?

• Time it takes for all atoms in a sample to undergo radioactive decay

• Time it takes for the isotope to lose all its radioactivity

• Time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to undergo radioactive decay

• Time it takes for the isotope to become stable

Why is the concept of half-life important in understanding radioactive decay?

• Half-life provides a quantitative measure of the rate of radioactive decay and helps in determining the stability of a radioactive element.

• Half-life determines the color of radioactive substances

• Half-life is used to calculate the age of fossils

• Half-life measures the speed of light in a radioactive material

Give an example of a commonly used radioactive isotope and its application in science or medicine.

• Technetium-99m in nuclear medicine imaging

• Plutonium-239 in agriculture

• Uranium-238 in treating cancer

• Cesium-137 in food preservation