Nuclear Phenomena

Question 1

Radioactive decay:

Radioactive decay follows – order reaction kinetics.

Answer 1

first

Question 2

Radioactive decay:

Alpha decay

Answer 2

The loss of an α particle, which is a helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons.

Question 3

Radioactive decay:

Beta decay

Answer 3

Occasionally called “β-negative” decay.

The decay of a neutron to a proton. Emits a β-particle which is an electron, plus an antineutrino with minimal mass.

Question 4

Radioactive decay:

Positron emission

Answer 4

Also known as “β-plus” decay.

A proton is converted to a neutron. Emits a positron and a neutrino.

Question 5

Radioactive decay:

Electron capture

Answer 5

An electron from the inner shell gets absorbed by a proton in the nucleus and forms a neutron.

Question 6

Radioactive decay:

Half-life

Answer 6

The amount of time required for a substance to be cut in half by quantity due to decay.

Example: Starting with 100g of a substance with half-life of 1 year. After 1 year you would have 50g, after 2 years 25 g, after 4 years 6.25 g.

Question 7

Nuclear binding energy:

Mass deficit

Answer 7

The mass of the protons and neutrons in an atom is greater than the mass of the atom.
This discrepancy is called mass deficit, and is due to mass converted to binding energy holding the nucleus together

Question 8

Nuclear binding energy formula

Answer 8

Question 9

Binding energy and mass deficit

Answer 9