Radioactive Decay
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Questions and Answers

What is the result of the radioactive decay process?

  • The transformation of the original isotope into a different isotope or element (correct)
  • The transformation of the daughter isotope into the parent isotope
  • The transformation of the nucleus into a stable state
  • The emission of radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves

    • What occurs in alpha decay?

  • The nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons (correct)
  • A neutron in the nucleus is transformed into a proton
  • The release of gamma rays
  • An inner orbital electron is captured by the nucleus

    • What is the characteristic of half-life of a radioactive isotope?

  • It is the time it takes for all the atoms in a sample to decay
  • It is the time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay (correct)
  • It is the time it takes for a quarter of the atoms in a sample to decay
  • It is the same for all radioactive isotopes

    • What is the effect of beta decay on the atomic number of an isotope?

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

    What is the purpose of gamma decay?

    <p>To release energy from the nucleus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Radioactive Decay

    • Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves.
    • This process results in the transformation of the original (parent) isotope into a different (daughter) isotope or element.

    Types of Radioactive Decay

    • Alpha Decay: Emits an alpha particle, consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, decreasing the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4.
    • Beta Decay: A neutron in the nucleus is transformed into a proton, emitting a beta particle and an antineutrino or neutrino, increasing the atomic number by 1 without changing the mass number.
    • Gamma Decay: Releases gamma rays, high-energy photons, reducing the energy of the nucleus without changing atomic or mass numbers.
    • Electron Capture: An inner orbital electron is captured by the nucleus, combining with a proton to form a neutron and a neutrino, decreasing the atomic number by 1.

    Key Aspects of Radioactive Decay

    • Half-Life: The time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay, which is a characteristic of each radioactive isotope and can range from fractions of a second to billions of years.
    • Half-Life is used to determine the age of materials in radiometric dating, for example, carbon-14 has a half-life of about 5,730 years.
    • Decay Chains: A series of decays where radioactive isotopes decay into other radioactive isotopes, continuing until a stable, non-radioactive isotope is formed, for example, uranium-238 decays into stable lead-206.

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