Isotopes and Nuclear Radiation

Question 1

True or false? Different isotopes of an element will have the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons

Answer 1

False

Isotopes have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Question 2

What makes up an alpha particle? How about a beta-minus particle?

Answer 2

An alpha particle is two neutrons and two protons

A beta-minus particle is an electron

Question 3

Name two other types of ionising radiation.

Answer 3

E.g Neutron, gamma, beta-plus

Question 4

Why do some atomic nuclei undergo radioactive decay?

Answer 4

Unstable atomic nuclei decay to become more stable

Question 5

Which is the least ionising out of alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays? Which is the most ionising

Answer 5

Out of the three types of radiation listed, gamma rays are the least ionising and alpha particles are the most ionising

Question 6

What type of nuclear radiation can pass through a sheet of paper or a 5 mm thick aluminium sheet, but cannot pass through a thick sheet of lead?

Answer 6

Gamma radiation