6.3 Radioactive Decay

• Beta decay changes the mass number of the nucleus.

  False
• What are the three main types of radioactive decay?

  Alpha, beta, gamma
• What type of radiation is emitted in gamma decay?

  High-energy photons
• What is emitted in alpha decay?

  Alpha particle
• Which type of decay reduces the mass number of the nucleus?

  Alpha decay
• What type of radiation is emitted in gamma decay?

  High-energy photons
• Beta decay changes the mass number of a nucleus.

  False
• Alpha decay stabilizes the nucleus by shedding excess particles.


  True
• What are the two types of particles emitted in beta decay?

  Electron and positron
• Beta-plus decay decreases the atomic number by 1.

  True
• Gamma decay can release excess energy without altering atomic or mass composition.


  True
• Gamma radiation is more difficult to shield than alpha radiation.


  True
• How does alpha decay affect the mass number of the nucleus?

  Decreases by 4
• What is an alpha particle composed of?

  Two protons and two neutrons
• How does the atomic number change after alpha decay?

  Decreases by 2
• What are the two types of beta decay?

  Beta-minus and beta-plus
• What is radioactive decay defined as?

  Spontaneous loss of energy
• Gamma decay emits high-energy photons
• Alpha decay emits an alpha particle
• Alpha decay reduces the atomic number by 2
• In alpha decay, the atomic number is reduced by 2
• Beta-minus decay emits an electron
• Alpha decay emits an alpha particle
• An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons
• Gamma decay emits high-energy photons
• What is emitted during alpha decay to transform an unstable nucleus into a new element?

  Alpha particle
• In beta-minus decay, the atomic number increases by 1
• Which type of radiation has the lowest penetrating power?

  Alpha
• What is half-life defined as?

  Time for half nuclei to decay
• What is the primary goal of radioactive decay?

  To reach a stable state
• During alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2
• Alpha decay is a process where the nucleus of an unstable atom emits an alpha particle
• After alpha decay, the mass number of the nucleus decreases by 4
• Match the type of beta decay with its effect on the nucleus:

  Beta-minus (β−) decay ↔️ Increases atomic number by 1

  Beta-plus (β+) decay ↔️ Decreases atomic number by 1
• What type of particle is emitted during gamma decay?

  High-energy photon
• Match the type of radiation with its properties:

  Alpha radiation ↔️ Low penetrating power, high ionizing ability

  Beta radiation ↔️ Moderate penetrating power, moderate ionizing ability

  Gamma radiation ↔️ High penetrating power, low ionizing ability
• The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for half of its nuclei to decay.
• In the beta decay of Carbon-14, Nitrogen-14 is the daughter nucleus.


  True
• Alpha decay emits an alpha particle
• Match the type of radioactive decay with its effect on the atomic nucleus:

  Alpha Decay ↔️ Reduces atomic number by 2, mass number by 4

  Beta Decay ↔️ Changes atomic number by 1, mass number unchanged

  Gamma Decay ↔️ No change in atomic or mass number