Radioactivity

• What is meant by radioactive decay?

  It is the process of unstable nuclei giving out radiation.
• Why do some isotopes undergo radioactive decay?

  To become stable by emitting radiation.
• What is an isotope?

  Atoms of the same element with different neutrons.
• How many types of nuclear radiation are there?

  Four types
• What is carbon-14?

  A radioactive isotope of carbon.
• What is the unit of activity in radioactive decay?

  Beckel
• What does one Beckel equal?

  One decay per second.
• How is radioactive decay described in terms of predictability?

  It is a completely random process.
• What is the count rate in radioactive measurement?

  The number of decays recorded each second.
• What is the significance of an unstable nucleus?

  It indicates that the nucleus will emit radiation.
• What device is used to measure the activity of a radioactive source?

  Geiger-Müller tube
• How does count rate differ from activity?

  Count rate includes background radiation effects.
• What is an alpha particle composed of?

  Two protons and two neutrons.
• What is the relationship between an alpha particle and a helium atom?

  An alpha particle is the same as a helium nucleus.
• What is a beta particle?

  An electron ejected from the nucleus.
• How is a beta particle formed?

  When a neutron changes into a proton and an electron.
• What type of radiation is a gamma ray?

  A type of electromagnetic radiation.
• What is the fourth type of radiation emitted by unstable nuclei?

  A neutron
• What are the four types of nuclear radiation?

  • Alpha particles
  • Beta particles
  • Gamma rays
  • Neutrons
• What are the key points about radioactive decay?

  • Unstable nuclei emit radiation to become stable.
  • The process is random and unpredictable.
  • Activity is measured in Beckel (Bq).