6.2 Types of Radiation

• Alpha particles are positively charged particles emitted from the nucleus
• What is the composition of an alpha particle?

  Helium nucleus
• Steps involved in the emission of alpha particles

  1️⃣ Unstable nucleus contains too many protons or neutrons

  2️⃣ Nucleus releases an alpha particle

  3️⃣ Atomic number decreases by 2

  4️⃣ Mass number decreases by 4
• Beta particles are emitted when a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino
• When uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay, it transforms into thorium
• Which type of radiation has the highest penetrating power?

  Gamma
• Beta particles are smaller and negatively charged
• Steps in the process of beta emission

  1️⃣ A neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino

  2️⃣ The high-energy electron (beta particle) is ejected from the nucleus

  3️⃣ The atom transforms into a new element with a higher atomic number
• Which element does cobalt-60 transform into after beta decay and gamma emission?

  Nickel-60
• Which type of radiation can be stopped by a sheet of paper?

  Alpha
• Alpha particles are identical to helium nuclei.
• Alpha particles are heavy and positively charged
• Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation with extremely high penetration and weak ionization.


  True
• Match the radiation type with its approximate mass in atomic mass units (amu):

  Alpha (α) ↔️ 4

  Beta (β) ↔️ 0.00055

  Gamma (γ) ↔️ 0
• Carbon-14 transforms into nitrogen-14 after emitting a beta particle.


  True
• Match the radiation type with its charge:

  Alpha (α) ↔️ +2

  Beta (β) ↔️ -1

  Gamma (γ) ↔️ 0
• Arrange the radiation types in order of increasing penetrating power:

  1️⃣ Alpha

  2️⃣ Beta

  3️⃣ Gamma
• What is radioactivity defined as?

  Spontaneous emission of radiation
• Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus
• What type of radiation has the highest penetrating power?

  Gamma
• What is the daughter nucleus formed when uranium-238 undergoes alpha decay?

  Thorium-234
• What happens to the atomic number during alpha decay?

  Decreases by 2
• Beta particles have a charge of -1.


  True
• During beta emission, a neutron is converted into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino.


  True
• What is the mass of a beta particle in atomic mass units?

  0.00055
• What is the charge of an alpha particle?

  +2
• What is gamma decay caused by in an unstable nucleus?

  Excess energy
• Match the type of radiation with its correct definition:

  Alpha ↔️ Stream of helium nuclei

  Beta ↔️ Stream of high-energy electrons

  Gamma ↔️ High-energy electromagnetic radiation
• What is the ionizing power of gamma rays?

  Low
• During alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2.


  True
• What type of charge do beta particles carry?

  Negative
• What happens to the atomic number of a nucleus during alpha decay?

  Decreases by 2
• What three particles are produced during beta emission?

  Proton, electron, antineutrino
• Gamma rays are emitted when a nucleus releases excess energy in the form of photons.
• Gamma radiation is used in sterilization to kill bacteria in food and medical equipment.

  True
• Which type of radiation can cause severe cellular and DNA damage due to its high penetration?

  Gamma
• Beta particles are high-energy electrons emitted from the nucleus.

  True
• Beta particles have a charge of -1 and a mass of 0.00055 amu.


  True
• Alpha particles are equivalent to a helium nucleus.


  True
• The equation for beta emission is n → p + e⁻ + ν̅


  True