P5.2.2 & P5.2.3 & P5.2.4 - Nuclear Emission, Radioactive Decay & Half-life

Question 1

What are the 3 types of nuclear emission? [3]

Answer 1

• alpha
• beta
• gamma

Question 2

Describe the nature of alpha particles. [2]

Answer 2

• consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
• a helium nucleus

Question 3

Describe the nature of beta particles. [1]

Answer 3

• fast moving electrons emitted from the nucleus

Question 4

Describe the nature of gamma rays. [1]

Answer 4

• they are electromagnetic waves

Question 5

Describe the ionising effect of alpha radiation. [1]

Answer 5

strong ionising effect

Question 6

Describe the ionising effect of beta radiation. [1]

Answer 6

moderate ionising effect

Question 7

Describe the ionising effect of gamma radiation. [1]

Answer 7

weak ionising effect

Question 8

Describe the penetrating ability of alpha radiation. [2]

Answer 8

• low penetrating ability
• can be stopped by paper or skin

Question 9

Describe the penetrating ability of beta radiation. [2]

Answer 9

• moderate penetrating ability
• can be stopped by a sheet of plastic or glass

Question 10

Describe the penetrating ability of gamma radiation. [3]

Answer 10

• high penetrating ability
• can pass through most materials
• can be stopped by thick lead or concrete

Question 11

What does ionising effect mean? [1]

Answer 11

when radiation gives energy to atoms causing them to change or break apart.

Question 12

What does penetrating ability mean? [1]

Answer 12

how far radiation can go through materials

Question 13

Which radiation is the fastest moving? [1]

Answer 13

gamma

Question 14

Which radiation is the slowest moving? [1]

Answer 14

alpha

Question 15

What is radioactive decay? [2]

Answer 15

• the process in which an unstable nucleus gives out radiation to become more stable
• the changes are spontaneous and random

Question 16

What happens to the nucleus of an atom during alpha decay? [2]

Answer 16

• the atom releases 2 protons and 2 neutrons
• changes the atom into a new element since it loses 2 protons

Question 17

What happens to the nucleus of an atom during beta decay? [2]

Answer 17

• a neutron turns into a proton and and an electron is released
• this changes the atom into a new element because it gains a proton

Question 18

What is the change that happens in the nucleus during Beta decay? [3]

Answer 18

• neutron changes into a proton and an electron
• the proton stays in the nucleus but the electron is pushed out
• this makes the atom change into a new element because the number of protons has increased

Question 19

What is the formula process of what happens during beta decay? [1]

Answer 19

neutron —> proton + electron

Question 20

What is the decay equation for alpha? [2]

Answer 20

ᴬ ⁴ ᴬ⁻⁴
X —> He + (element)
ᶻ ₂ ᶻ₋₂

Question 21

What is the decay equation for beta? [2]

Answer 21

¹⁴ ¹⁴ ⁰
C —-> N + e
₆ ₇ ₋₁

Question 22

What is the decay equation for gamma? [2]

Answer 22

ᴬ ⁰ ᴬ
X —> Y + X
ᶻ ₀ ᶻ

Question 23

What is half-life? [2]

Answer 23

the time taken for half the nuclei of that isotope in any sample to deca

Question 24

What is the graph like for half life? [1]

Answer 24

exponential decrease