8.2 Nuclear instability

    Cards (47)

    • 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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