7.3 changes in the nucleus

Question 1

What are isotopes of an element?

Answer 1

They are atoms with the same number of protons with different number of neutrons (same atomic number but different mass numbers

Question 2

What is the atomic number?

Answer 2

The number of protons (and electrons)

Question 3

What is the mass number?

Answer 3

The number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus

Question 4

What is an isotope?

Answer 4

Atoms with the same number of protons and a different number of neutrons

Question 5

In half particle decay, what changed in the nucleus?

Answer 5

The nucleus loses two protons and two neutrons

Question 6

In beta particle decay, what changed in the nucleus?

Answer 6

A neutron in the nucleus changes into proton

Question 7

What happens when an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle?

Answer 7

The atomic number goes down by two, and it’s massive number goes down by four

Question 8

What happens when an unstable nucleus emits a beta particle?

Answer 8

The atomic number of the nucleus goes up by one, and its mass number is unchanged (because neutron changes into a proton)