Radioactivity MCQ2

The spontaneous breaking up of certain unstable nuclei, accompanied by the emission of radiation

It is the time taken for half the atoms in a sample to decay

The atomic number increases by 1 and the mass number remains the same

<p>To detect radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Archaeology</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Henri Becquerel</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It increases by 1</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cancer treatment</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Different mass numbers</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It decreases by 4</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ionization of air</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Radioactive decay occurs due to the spontaneous breaking up of unstable nuclei.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>During beta emission, the atomic number increases by 1 and the mass number remains the same. During alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Their discovery led to the understanding of radioactivity and its applications in various fields, including medicine and archaeology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The half-life determines the rate of decay, making it essential in selecting the appropriate radioisotope for a specific application.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Nuclear reactions result in elements changing into other elements, such as Carbon-14 decaying to form Nitrogen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The common thread is the use of radioisotopes to achieve specific goals, such as dating, treatment, and detection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The underlying principle is the spontaneous breaking up of unstable nuclei, which occurs because the nucleus is unstable and seeks a more stable configuration. This relates to nuclear stability because the nucleus is constantly trying to reach a more stable state, which leads to the emission of radiation and the decay of the isotope.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>During beta emission, the atomic number increases by 1 and the mass number remains the same. During alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4. These changes result in the formation of a new element, and they have significant implications for the properties and behavior of the isotope.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The half-life is a measure of the time it takes for half the atoms in a sample to decay, and it is a fundamental concept in understanding the decay process. It affects our understanding of the decay process because it allows us to predict the rate of decay and the amount of radiation emitted, and it has significant implications for the applications of radioisotopes in fields such as medicine and archaeology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The discoveries of radioactivity by Henri Becquerel and the Curies laid the foundation for the development of modern applications of radioisotopes, such as medicine, archaeology, and smoke alarms. These discoveries have significant implications for our understanding of the natural world, as they revealed the existence of radioactive elements and paved the way for further research into the properties and behavior of these elements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The underlying principles behind the use of radioisotopes in these applications are based on the properties and behavior of the isotopes, such as their radioactive decay, half-life, and emission of radiation. In archaeology, the decay of Carbon-14 is used to date organic materials, while in medicine, the emission of radiation is used to treat cancer. In smoke alarms, the decay of Americium-241 is used to detect smoke particles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The different types of radioactive decay can have significant effects on the environment and living organisms, including the production of radiation and the formation of new elements. These effects have implications for our understanding of the risks and benefits of radioisotopes, and they highlight the need for careful handling and management of these isotopes.</p> Signup and view all the answers