8.3 Summary Notes - Radioactive Decay

Question 1

Alpha decay

Answer 1

When two protons and two neutrons are lost to produce an alpha particle.

A Z. —> A-4 Y. + 4 α
X. Z-2. 2

Question 2

Beta-negative decay

Answer 2

Negative electrons emitted by the nucleus and have a much higher speed than alpha particles. The basic beta negative decay occurring in the nucleus is:

1 n. —>. 1p + 0 β + 0. -
0. 1. -1. 0. V

Question 3

What is the symbol for an anti neutrino?

Answer 3

__
0. V
0

Question 4

Beta-positive (positron) decay

Answer 4

Positrons are the antiparticle of the electron having identical mass and charge magnitude. The basic beta- positive decay occurring in the nucleus is:

1 p. —>. 1 n. +. 0 β. +. 0. V
1 0. 1. 0

Question 5

What is the symbol for a neutrino?

Answer 5

0 V

0

Question 6

Describe neutrinos

Answer 6

They have extremely small mass and zero charge. They were first suggested as a way to satisfy conservation laws.

Question 7

Gamma decay

Answer 7

The emission of high energy photons from the nucleus. This often occurs after alpha or beta decay when the nucleus is in an excited state. No change occurs to the atomic number or the mass number and therefore no transmutation occurs during gamma decay.