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AQA A-Level Physics
8. Nuclear physics
8.2 Nuclear instability
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The strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons together in the
nucleus
Beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle and a
neutrino
Stable nuclei always have a 1:1 neutron to proton ratio.
False
In alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by
2
What type of particle is emitted in alpha decay?
Alpha particle
The mass number decreases by 4 during alpha decay.
True
What particles are emitted in beta-minus decay?
Electron, antineutrino
The mass number changes in beta-minus decay.
False
In beta-plus decay, the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by
1
What is nuclear instability?
Insufficient strong nuclear force
What particle is emitted in alpha decay?
Alpha particle
Steps leading to nuclear instability
1️⃣ Electrostatic repulsion between protons increases
2️⃣ Strong nuclear force becomes insufficient
3️⃣ Neutron to proton ratio becomes imbalanced
4️⃣ Radioactive decay occurs
What is the composition of an alpha particle?
Two protons, two neutrons
What are the two types of beta decay?
Beta-minus and beta-plus
In alpha decay, the atomic number of the nucleus decreases by
2
Match the type of beta decay with its characteristic:
Beta-minus decay (β⁻) ↔️ Neutron converts to proton
Beta-plus decay (β⁺) ↔️ Proton converts to neutron
In beta-minus decay, the atomic number of the nucleus increases by
1
What particles are emitted in beta-plus decay?
Positron, neutrino
Beta decay adjusts the
neutron-to-proton
ratio in the nucleus.
True
A balanced neutron-to-proton ratio leads to
nuclear stability
.
True
What is the approximate range of the strong nuclear force?
10⁻¹⁵ m
Gluons are the carrier particles of the
strong nuclear force
.
True
The weak nuclear force has a very short range of less than
10⁻¹⁷ m
What happens to a nucleus when the neutron to proton ratio is not optimal?
Radioactive decay
What do unstable nuclei undergo to achieve a more stable configuration?
Radioactive decay
In alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2 and the
mass number
decreases by 4.
True
What are the two primary types of beta decay?
Beta-minus and Beta-plus
Beta-minus decay increases the
atomic number
by 1 and leaves the mass number unchanged.
True
In beta-plus decay, what particles are emitted?
Positron and neutrino
In beta-plus decay, a proton converts into a neutron, emitting a positron and a
neutrino
.
Beta-plus decay decreases the atomic number by 1 and leaves the mass number
unchanged
.
True
Gamma decay changes the atomic number and mass number of the nucleus.
False
Radioactive decay follows an exponential decay law, described by the equation N(t) = N₀e^(-λt), where λ is the decay
constant
.
What is radioactive decay used in radioactive dating techniques to determine?
Age of ancient artifacts
What causes nuclear instability in a nucleus?
Excess electrostatic repulsion
The strong nuclear force is the
strongest
of the fundamental forces.
The strong nuclear force holds the
nucleus
together.
How does the strength of the weak nuclear force compare to the strong nuclear force?
Weaker than strong force
Match the neutron to proton ratio with its effect on stability:
Optimal ratio ↔️ Stable nucleus
Ratio too high or low ↔️ Unstable nucleus
Alpha decay results in a new element with a lower atomic number and mass number.
True
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