Radioactive Decay

Question 1

chemical equations vs nuclear equations

Answer 1

chemical equations:
- involve electrons; compounds form and/or break apart, + & n don’t move
- small energy changes

nuclear equations
- nucleus opens, + & n rearrange
- releases a tremendous amount of energy that used to hold the nucleus together (binding energy)

Question 2

heavy atoms

Answer 2

• atomic number > 84
• unstable nuclei & radioactive

Question 3

some light atoms are ….

Answer 3

radioactive and have unstable nuclei

Question 4

transmutation equations

Answer 4

show the nuclear decay process of these radioactive atoms, & keep track of mass and positive charges and small particles

Question 5

4 forces in nature

Answer 5

gravity
electrostatic force
strong nuclear force
weak nuclear force

Question 6

electrostatic force

Answer 6

+ protons repel one another

Question 7

strong nuclear force

Answer 7

protons and neutrons are held together to form the nucleus by the exchange of gluons

Question 8

weak nuclear force

Answer 8

boson exchange particles into other types, causing nuclear decay

Question 9

why does radiation happen?

Answer 9

sometimes, the electrostatic force dominates the strong nuclear force, causing the nucleus to decompose (radiation)

Question 10

boson

Answer 10

a subatomic particle, such as a photon, which has zero or integral spin

Question 11

radioactive particles

Answer 11

• alpha particles: + charged helium isotope
• beta particle: an electron
• gamma-ray: pure energy
• positron + electron
• proton: hydrogen-1
• neutron
• other isotopes

Question 12

alpha particles are stopped by

Answer 12

paper

Question 13

beta particles passes through _ but is stopped by

Answer 13

paper,
aluminum

Question 14

gamma-rays passes through _ but are stopped by

Answer 14

paper & aluminum,
lead

Question 15

radiation

Answer 15

when an unstable atom throws out part of it self
often changes one element to another