Radioactivity

Question 1

Name the forces present within the nucleus, and state which subatomic particles are responsible…

Answer 1

Electrostatic Force - Protons repel each other —Can tear apart nucleus
-Acts over long distances

Strong Nuclear Force - Holds nucleus together
-Stronger than electrostatic force,
-Exists between every nucleon regardless of charge
-Short distances.

Question 2

Radioactive def:

Answer 2

Unstable nuclei that release particles in the form of radiation in order to become stable.

Question 3

Spontaneous Transmutation:

Answer 3

Unstable nuclei becomes stable by changing into a different element, releases a particles as it does so.

Also, in nuclear transmutation, electrical charge is conserved.

Question 4

Symbol of Atomic number:

Answer 4

Z

Question 5

Symbol of Mass Number

Answer 5

A

Question 6

What happens to the neutrons as the No. of protons in a nucleus increase?

Answer 6

The number of neutrons also increase to dilute the electrostatic forces present by distancing each proton from others.

Question 7

Alpha Decay Mass and atomic numbers:

Answer 7

A = 4, Z = 2

Question 8

What is alpha decay?

Answer 8

This is when an unstable nuclei decays, releasing a positively charged particle with no electrons orbitting it. The particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

Question 9

Alpha particle Alternative:

Answer 9

4/2 a or 4/2 He (Helium - 4)

Question 10

Describe Beta Decay -

Answer 10

(Most Common Beta Decay) Beta negative decay occurs when an unstable/isotopic nuclei has too many neutrons. The extra neutron/s is changed into a proton and an electron. The proton stays in the nucleus, while the electron and an antineutrino is ejected during the process of spontaneous transmutation.

Question 11

Describe Beta Decay +

Answer 11

Occurs when an unstable nuclei has a large proportion of protons in its nucleus. During the decay, the proton changes into a neutron and a positron. The neutron stays in the nucleus, while the positron is ejected during the process of spontaneous transmutation.

Question 12

What is a positron?

Answer 12

A positron is an electron’s antimatter. Hence, its charge is opposite to an electron (+), but the mass is relatively the same.

Question 13

Gamma decay: (Y)

Answer 13

Occurs when an unstable nuclei is metastable. This means it has excess energy, and is therefore in its excited state. When this nuclei decays, it releases energy in the form of photon-like particles known as gamma rays (Y - No mass/charge).