Top 4 - Atomic Structure

Question 1

What happens to an electron in an atom if it releases EM radiation?

Answer 1

The electron in the atom will move to a lower energy level that is closer to the nucleus of the atom.

Question 2

Which number defines that element an atom is the atomic number or the mass number?

Answer 2

The atomic number - number of protons in an atom.

Question 3

What is radioactive decay?

Answer 3

Radioactive decay is when a nucleus will regain stability by emitting alpha or beta particles and then ‘cool down’ by emitting gamma radiation.

Question 4

Name things that might be emitted during radioactive decay.

Answer 4

Alpha
Beta
Gamma Rays

Question 5

What type of nuclear decay doesn’t change the mass or the charge of the nucleus.

Answer 5

Gamma Ray Radiation

Question 6

Define half-life.

Answer 6

The half-life is the time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in an isotope to halve.

Question 7

True or False? A short half-life means a small proportion of atoms are decaying per second.

Answer 7

False