Nuclear Decay and Half-Life Quiz

The study of the atom's nucleus and its properties, involving processes like radioactivity and nuclear transmutation, and how these influence the behaviour of atoms.

The branch of chemistry that employs chemical methods to investigate radioactive substances and their radiation's effects on chemical processes.

The spontaneous disintegration of an unstable atomic nucleus, leading to the release of radiation and particles, until it reaches a stable state.

The process of radioactive decay, where an unstable nucleus transforms into a more stable configuration by emitting radiation.

Radiation emitted during radioactive decay can penetrate substances, unlike chemical reactions, which are sensitive to temperature and pressure.

Radioactive emissions are unaffected by changes in temperature and pressure, unlike chemical reactions.

The energy released during radioactive decay is significantly greater than that released during chemical reactions.

A type of radiation consisting of positively charged particles with a mass number of 4 and an atomic number of 2.

A type of radiation composed of fast-moving, negatively charged particles with a mass number of 0 and an atomic number of -1.

A type of radiation consisting of electromagnetic waves, not particles, with high penetrating power and a very short wavelength.

Gamma rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation with the highest energy and shortest wavelength. They are released from the nucleus during radioactive decay.

Gamma rays are high-energy photons and therefore have no mass or charge. This means they are not affected by electric or magnetic fields.

Gamma rays have very high penetrating power and can travel at the speed of light. They can pass through many materials, but are eventually absorbed by dense materials like lead or concrete.

The Geiger-Müller counter is a device that detects and measures ionizing radiation. It works by using ionization chambers filled with a gas, and when radiation interacts with the gas, it produces a signal that can be detected

Scintillation counters are devices for detecting radiation by using certain minerals that produce flashes of light, called scintillations, when interacting with radiation. These flashes are detected and measured to determine the intensity of radiation.

The time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

The new element formed when a radioactive nucleus decays.

The emission of an alpha particle (Helium nucleus) from a radioactive nucleus.

The emission of a beta particle (electron) from a radioactive nucleus.

The rate at which radioactive decay occurs is proportional to the number of radioactive atoms present.

The equation that describes how the amount of radioactive material changes over time, considering its half-life and decay constant.

A constant that represents the probability of a radioactive nucleus decaying per unit time. It is related to the half-life.

A graph that shows how the amount of radioactive material decreases exponentially over time. It usually has time on the x-axis and amount of material on the y-axis.

A process where an unstable nucleus transforms into a more stable configuration by emitting radiation.

The radioactive material remaining after a specific time period can be calculated using the half-life and the initial amount of material.

A technique that utilizes the decay of radioactive isotopes, particularly carbon-14, to determine the age of ancient artifacts, fossils, and geological formations.

The splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus (like Uranium-235) into smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy and neutrons.

A method used to analyze the composition of a substance by introducing a known amount of a radioactive isotope and tracking its distribution throughout the sample.

The energy released from the spontaneous decay of unstable atomic nuclei.

Substances that can be tracked through processes, like chemical reactions, using their radioactive properties.

A self-sustaining nuclear process where the splitting of one nucleus releases neutrons that trigger the splitting of other nuclei, releasing massive amounts of energy.

The minimum amount of fissionable material needed to sustain a chain reaction. If the mass is below this point, the reaction dies out.

A nuclear process where two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. It's the power source of stars.

The energy required to separate all the nucleons (protons and neutrons) from a nucleus. The difference in mass between the nucleus and its individual nucleons represents the energy released in fusion or fission.

A material used to slow down fast-moving neutrons in a nuclear reactor to increase the chances of fission. Graphite and heavy water are common examples.

The force that holds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, overcoming electrostatic repulsion.

The energy released when a nucleus forms from its constituent protons and neutrons. A higher binding energy indicates greater stability.

The ratio of neutrons to protons in a nucleus. A ratio outside a certain range (less than 1.0 or greater than 1.5) tends to be unstable.

The process of making a stable nucleus radioactive by bombarding it with particles, often in a nuclear reactor.

Radioisotopes that have practical applications in medicine, industry, agriculture, and research.

Involve changes to the nucleus of an atom, where one element can transform into another.

Alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays are types of radiation emitted during radioactive decay, arranged in order of increasing energy.

The time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Radioactive isotopes have various applications, including sterilization of medical equipment, tracing reaction paths, radiography (X-rays), and determining equilibrium positions.