Radioactive decay

What happens to an atom when it undergoes alpha (α) decay?

• It loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons

• It gains 2 protons and 2 neutrons

• A proton turns into a neutron

• A neutron turns into a proton

Beta decay occurs when:

• A proton turns into a neutron

• A neutron turns into a proton

• Two protons and two neutrons leave the nucleus

• The nucleus splits into two parts

Which type of radiation involves the emission of a positively charged particle?

• beta

• positron

• gamma

• none of the above

When a nucleus emits a positron , what happens to its atomic number?

• It increases by 1

• It decreases by 1

• It stays the same

• It doubles

What happens to the number of neutrons in positron emission?

• The number of neutrons decreases by 1

• The number of neutrons increases by 1

• The number of neutrons stays the same

• The number of neutrons increases by 2

Which of the following particles is not emitted in alpha decay?

• A neutron

• A proton

• A helium nucleus

• An electron