Alpha Beta and Gamma Decay

This particle has 2 protons and 2 neutrons like a helium nucleus.

• alpha particle

• beta particle

• gamma photon

• alpha and gamma particles

• none of the above

A neutron changes into a proton and an electron releasing this type of particle.

• alpha decay

• beta decay

• gamma decay

• all of the above

• alpha & beta decay

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

This particle can be stopped by a piece of paper.

• alpha

• beta

• gamma

• all of the ablove

• none of the above

This particles can travel only a few centimeters through the air.

• alpha

• beta

• gamma

• all of the above

• none of the above

If an atom of Americium-231 (Am) goes through alpha decay, what would you have at the end?

• Neptunium-227

• Neptunium-234

• Plutonium-231

• Curium-247

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Is the following alpha or beta decay?

²⁴³U → ____ + ²³⁹Th

• Alpha

• Beta

• Gamma

• Gramma

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

During alpha decay the mass changes by (a)   , while the proton number changes by ​ (b)   . During beta decay the mass changes by ​ (c)   , while the proton number changes by​ (d)   .

• -4

• -2

• 0

• +1

• -1

• +2

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Compare and contrast alpha and beta decay.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What is the primary reason gamma decay occurs in a nucleus?

• To increase the number of protons

• To increase the number of neutrons

• To release excess energy and reach a more stable state

• To change one element into another

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Solve this equation for alpha decay.

₈₅²⁰⁹At = ___ + ₂⁴He

• ₈₃²⁰⁵Bi

• ₈₆²⁰⁹Rn

• ₈₁²⁰⁷Tl

• ₈₅²⁰⁸At

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8