Radioactive Decay

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Last updated 7:10 PM on 6/17/26
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30 Terms

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⁴₂He

A helium nucleus

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beta particle

the particle formed by changing a neutron to a proton

<p>the particle formed by changing a neutron to a proton</p>
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gamma rays

high energy rays & a type of electromagnetic radiation

<p>high energy rays &amp; a type of electromagnetic radiation</p>
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Alpha particle symbol

α

<p>α</p>
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Beta- particle symbol

β⁻

<p>β⁻</p>
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Gamma symbol

γ

<p>γ</p>
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Alpha Decay

Mass number decreases by 4 (loss of 2 protons and 2 neutrons); Atomic number decreases by 2 - emits a helium nucleus

<p>Mass number decreases by 4 (loss of 2 protons and 2 neutrons); Atomic number decreases by 2 - emits a helium nucleus</p>
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Half life

the amount of time it takes the nuclei of radioactive isotope to decay

<p>the amount of time it takes the nuclei of radioactive isotope to decay</p>
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alpha particle

a positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons

<p>a positively charged particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons</p>
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fission

a nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy

<p>a nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy</p>
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fusion

a nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy

<p>a nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy</p>
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nuclear radiation

energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles

<p>energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles</p>
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radioactivity

the process by which the nucleus of an atom of an element releases energy and particles

<p>the process by which the nucleus of an atom of an element releases energy and particles</p>
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Gamma decay

emits high energy electromagnetic radiation; no change to nuclear composition

<p>emits high energy electromagnetic radiation; no change to nuclear composition</p>
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radioactive decay occurs when ______, radioactive atoms give off their energy to become more ______.

unstable; stable

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what part of the atom emits energy?

nucleus

<p>nucleus</p>
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______ and ______ are two types of radioactive decay

alpha decay; beta decay

<p>alpha decay; beta decay</p>
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radioactive items

old watches, bananas, smoke detectors

<p>old watches, bananas, smoke detectors</p>
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example of one element decaying into a different element

uranium to lead

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beta decay

emits electron; no change in mass; protons increase 1; neutrons decrease 1

<p>emits electron; no change in mass; protons increase 1; neutrons decrease 1</p>
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gamma

pure energy; given off in most types of radioactive decay; no change in mass

<p>pure energy; given off in most types of radioactive decay; no change in mass</p>
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isotope

atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons

<p>atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons</p>
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lead and concrete

dense material that block gamma rays

<p>dense material that block gamma rays</p>
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aluminium

material that blocks beta particles but not gamma rays

<p>material that blocks beta particles but not gamma rays</p>
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paper and clothing

materials that block alpha particles

<p>materials that block alpha particles</p>
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atomic number

the number of protons in the nucleus

<p>the number of protons in the nucleus</p>
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mass number

the number of protons AND neutrons present in the nucleus

<p>the number of protons AND neutrons present in the nucleus</p>
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nuclide notation

an example of this notation is ⁴₂He

<p>an example of this notation is ⁴₂He</p>
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nucleus

the central part of the atom which contains 99% of the mass

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background radiation

naturally occurring ionising radiation that is present in the environment

<p>naturally occurring ionising radiation that is present in the environment</p>