Radioactive Decay

Question 1

What is Radioactive Decay?

Answer 1

Radioactive Decay is the spontaneous breakdown of an atomic nucleus resulting in the release of energy and matter from the nucleus.

Question 2

What is a Radioisotope?

Answer 2

A radioactive isotope that has an unstable nucleus that does not have enough binding energy to hold the nucleus together.

Question 3

What is the rule for Stable Atoms?

Answer 3

Any atom with an Atomic Mass greater than 208 will be unstable.

Question 4

What is Alpha Radiation?

Answer 4

Radiation which contains particles with 2 protons, 2 neutrons, and 0 electrons.

Question 5

What charge does Alpha Radiation have?

Answer 5

+2 charge.

Question 6

What is Beta Radiation?

Answer 6

Radiation which is the emission of high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons.

Question 7

What is Gamma Radiation?

Answer 7

Radiation which is the emission of electromagnetic radiation of an extremely high frequency. It consists of high-energy photons.