3rd December 2019

bbc

15

What happens in a nuclear decay?

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When the nucleus of an atom possesses either too many or too few neutrons compared to the number of protons it becomes unstable. Unstable nuclei split up in a process called radioactive decay and emit radioactive radiation. You need to know the effect of alpha and beta decay on the nucleus.

Beside this, what is the definition of nuclear decay?

Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay or radioactivity) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy (in terms of mass in its rest frame) by emitting radiation, such as an alpha particle, beta particle with neutrino or only a neutrino in the case of electron capture, gamma ray, or electron

What are the four types of radioactive decay?

Altogether, there are three major types of nuclear decay that radioactive particles can undergo: alpha, beta, or gamma decay. Each type emits a particle from the nucleus. Alpha particles are high-energy helium nuclei containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

1

What are the four types of nuclear reactions?

The four main reaction types that will be covered in this unit are:

Fission.
Fusion.
Nuclear Decay.
Transmutation.

2

What are the three most common types of nuclear radiation?

There are three types of nuclear radiation: alpha, beta and gamma. Alpha is the least penetrating, while gamma is the most penetrating. Radiation can be harmful, but it can also be useful.

3

How does uranium 238 decay to lead 206?

Radioactive Decay to Lead. Frequently, the quantity of uranium 238 and lead 206 are measured for radiometric determination of the age of rocks. The half-life with which uranium 238 decays to form lead 206 is 4.46 billion years. Moreover, in addition to uranium 238, 52 other elements also decay to form lead 206.

4

Why does an atom undergo radioactive decay?

When the nucleus of an atom possesses either too many or too few neutrons compared to the number of protons it becomes unstable. These are called radioactive isotopes. Unstable nuclei split up in a process called radioactive decay and emit radioactive radiation.

5

How are atoms affected by nuclear radiation?

Common types of nuclear radiation include alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. During nuclear decay, atoms of one element can change into atoms of different element altogether. When nuclear radiation exceeds background levels, it can damage the cells and tissues of your body.

6

Why is it important to know about radioactive decay?

Radioactive decay has a huge benefit beyond the esoteric uses of scientists (such as dating rocks). It is thought that half of the heat present in the body of the Earth is due to radioactive decay. Radioactive decays are the result of a nucleus releasing excess energy to become more stable.

7

What is the nuclear equation?

A nuclear reaction can be described by an equation, which must be balanced. The symbol for an atom or atomic particle includes the symbol of the element, the mass number, and the atomic number. The mass number, which describes the number of protons and neutrons, is attached at the upper left of the symbol.

8

Who discovered the radioactive decay?

Henri Becquerel

9

What is being released during radioactive decay?

The decay energy is the energy released by a radioactive decay. Radioactive decay is the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting ionizing particles and radiation.

10

What does it mean for an isotope to be radioactive?

Radioactive isotope, also called radioisotope, radionuclide, or radioactive nuclide, any of several species of the same chemical element with different masses whose nuclei are unstable and dissipate excess energy by spontaneously emitting radiation in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma rays.

11

What happens in a beta decay?

Beta decay occurs when, in a nucleus with too many protons or too many neutrons, one of the protons or neutrons is transformed into the other. In beta minus decay, a neutron decays into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino: n Æ p + e - +.

12

What happens in the alpha decay of an atom?

Alpha decay occurs when a nucleus is unstable because it has too many protons. The Figure below shows what happens during alpha decay. The nucleus emits an alpha particle and energy. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, which is actually a helium nucleus.

13

What is nuclear decay?

Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay or radioactivity) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy (in terms of mass in its rest frame) by emitting radiation, such as an alpha particle, beta particle with neutrino or only a neutrino in the case of electron capture, gamma ray, or electron

14

How is the decay of a radioactive element measured?

The atoms that are involved in radioactive decay are called isotopes. In reality, every atom is an isotope of one element or another. The unit that we use to measure time is called half-life and it has to do with the time it takes for half of the radioactive isotopes to decay (see below).

15

What is the definition of nuclear radiation?

Nuclear radiation is defined as the energy particles or rays that are given off from a radioactive element, such as uranium, as it decays.

16

What causes the nucleus of atoms to be unstable?

In summary it is the balance of protons and neutrons in a nucleus which determines whether a nucleus will be stable or unstable. Too many neutrons or protons upset this balance disrupting the binding energy from the strong nuclear forces making the nucleus unstable.

17

What are the four types of radioactive decay?

Altogether, there are three major types of nuclear decay that radioactive particles can undergo: alpha, beta, or gamma decay. Each type emits a particle from the nucleus. Alpha particles are high-energy helium nuclei containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

18

How does the nucleus change when it emits a gamma ray?

The emission of gamma rays does not alter the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus but instead has the effect of moving the nucleus from a higher to a lower energy state (unstable to stable). Gamma ray emission frequently follows beta decay, alpha decay, and other nuclear decay processes.

19

What is an example of beta decay?

A form of radioactive decay caused by the weak nuclear force, in which a beta particle (electron or positron) is emitted. In beta-minus decay, a neutron in an atomic nucleus decays into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino. The electron and antineutrino are emitted from the nucleus, while the proton remains.

20

What happens during a gamma decay?

Gamma decay, in contrast, occurs when a nucleus is in an excited state and has too much energy to be stable. This often happens after alpha or beta decay has occurred. Because only energy is emitted during gamma decay, the number of protons remains the same.

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