Radioactive Decay

What happens to an atom's atomic number when it undergoes alpha decay?

• decreases by 1

• decreases by 2

• increases by 1

• increases by 2

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

In gamma emission, ___________ is emitted.

• an electron

• a proton

• energy waves

• none of the above

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

When an atom undergoes gamma ray radiation, its atomic number...

• increases by 1

• decreases by 1

• decreases by 2

• does not change

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Gamma rays have

• no mass

• a huge mass

• a small mass

• an average mass

How many total protons and neutrons does an alpha particle (i.e. a helium atom) have?

• 1

• 2

• 4

• 8

________________ is the process in which radioactive elements break down releasing fast moving particles and energy.

• Radioactive decay

• Nuclear fusion

• Chemical reaction

• Photosynthesis

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

________________ is the time it takes for half of the atoms of a radioactive element to decay.

• Half-life

• Isotope

• Radioactive emission

• Radioactive fusion

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

A 50.0 g sample of N - 16 decays to 12.5 g in 14.4 seconds. What is it's half - life?

• 14.4 sec

• 7.2 sec

• 3.6 sec

• 1.8 sec

Scientists often date rocks using ________________.

• Radioactive Dating

• Carbon Dating

• Thermoluminescence Dating

• Dendrochronology

Why is Carbon-14 NOT useful in dating rocks?

• It is does not have predictable decay rates

• Its half life is too short so there is not measurable organic material remaining

• It has a long half life