7.7

Question 1

What is radioactive decay?

Answer 1

When isotopes become unstable and decay or change into another isotope producing alpha, beta or gamma radiation.

Question 2

What is a radioactive isotope called (unstable)?

Answer 2

radionuclide -

they can naturally occur/form in a nuclear reactor

Question 3

What does α stand for?

Answer 3

Alpha
₄
α
²

Question 4

What does ß stand for?

Answer 4

Beta
₀
ß
−

Question 5

What does γ stand for?

Answer 5

Gamma

γ

Question 6

What is the equivalent nucleus to an alpha particle?

Answer 6

A helium nucleus, with 2 protons and 2 neutrons

Question 7

How are Beta particles produced?

Answer 7

When a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton and an electron

Question 8

What happens after Beta-decay?

Answer 8

Neutron becomes proton + electron. The electron (the Beta particle) leaves the atom. Effectively, the neutron becomes a proton.
-> Atomic number increases by 1

Question 9

Show the Beta decay of Carbon-14 to Nitrogen-14

Answer 9

14 14 0
C —> N + ß
6 7 -

Question 10

What are gamma rays?

Answer 10

High-energy electromagnetic rays like X-rays.

Emitted after alpha/beta particle emission

Question 11

What material stops Alpha particles?

Answer 11

Paper

Question 12

What material stops Beta particles?

Answer 12

Aluminium

Question 13

What material stops Gamma rays?

Answer 13

Lead

Question 14

What is the radioactive half-life?

Answer 14

The time taken for half of the

radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay