Nuclear Stability and Decay Processes

The video explains atomic stability and radioactive decay. It covers the structure of atoms, the role of nuclear forces, and the conditions leading to instability. The types of radioactive decay—alpha, beta minus, and beta plus—are detailed, including their effects on atomic and mass numbers. The video also describes how to determine an atom's stability using a proton-neutron graph, highlighting the stability line and the likelihood of decay based on an isotope's position relative to this line.

What particles make up the nucleus of an atom?

• Electrons only

• Protons and neutrons

• Neutrons and electrons

• Protons and electrons

What is the main reason for an atom to be unstable?

• Lack of electrons

• Lack of protons

• Too many protons or neutrons

• Too many electrons

What happens to an atom's mass number during alpha decay?

• Increases by four

• Remains the same

• Decreases by four

• Increases by two

During beta minus decay, what does a neutron transform into?

• A proton and an electron

• A proton and a positron

• An electron and a positron

• A neutron and a positron

What is emitted during beta plus decay?

• An electron

• A positron

• A proton

• A neutron

How does the atomic number change during beta plus decay?

• Increases by two

• Decreases by one

• Increases by one

• Remains the same

What is the charge of a positron?

• Negative

• Neutral

• Double positive

• Positive

What does the stability line on a proton-neutron graph indicate?

• The number of electrons

• The charge of the nucleus

• The atomic mass

• The stability of isotopes

If a radioisotope is to the left of the stability line, what decay is it likely to undergo?

• Beta plus decay

• No decay

• Beta minus decay

• Alpha decay

What type of decay is likely for isotopes with more than 82 protons?

• No decay

• Beta minus decay

• Beta plus decay

• Alpha decay