Alpha, Beta, Gamma Decay Quiz

Beta particle identity. They are electrons. Electrons carry a single negative charge, so β- has charge -1.

What nuclear decay changes. Nuclear decays alter nuclear composition/energy. Alpha changes a and z, beta changes z, and gamma changes energy state.

Penetration ranking. Gamma penetrates most. It has no charge and interacts less often, so it can pass through thicker materials than alpha or beta.

β- particle identity. β- is an electron. In nuclear decay it is often emitted at high speed, so it is described as a fast electron.

Ionization and stopping power. They are heavy and charged, losing energy quickly. This strong interaction makes them highly ionizing but not very penetrating.

Element identity depends on z. Z determines the element. Since β- decay increases z by 1, the nucleus becomes a different element.

Applying z-2 in alpha decay. 92-2=90. Losing two protons decreases atomic number by 2, changing the element.

Charge of radiation types. Alpha has 2 protons → +2 charge. Beta-minus has -1 charge, and gamma rays have no charge.

Gamma radiation type. They are photons. Gamma rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, but with very high frequency and energy.

β- transformation. β- emission is an electron. A neutron converts into a proton, so the nucleus gains one proton while emitting an electron.

Alpha particle identity. Alpha particle = helium-4 nucleus. It contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons, so it changes both z and a when emitted.

Applying a-4 in alpha decay. 238-4=234. Alpha decay removes four nucleons, so you subtract 4 from the mass number.

Gamma as energy release. Gamma is energy release from an excited nucleus. It changes the nucleus’s energy state, not the number of protons or neutrons.

Z change in β- decay. More protons after neutron → proton conversion. Because z counts protons, creating an extra proton increases z by 1.

Comparing decay rules. A, B, D are correct. Gamma changes energy only, alpha changes both a and z, and beta-minus changes z but not a.

Nucleon count in β- decay. A neutron becomes a proton; total nucleons unchanged. Since one nucleon changes type but is not lost, a stays the same.

Change in z for alpha decay. Loses 2 protons. Because z counts protons, the atomic number decreases by 2.

Moving toward stability (n/z). Converting a neutron to a proton moves toward stability. β- decay helps neutron-rich nuclei adjust their neutron-to-proton ratio.

Change in a for alpha decay. Loses 4 nucleons. Since an alpha particle contains 4 nucleons total, the mass number drops by 4.

Gamma following other decays. Gamma often follows alpha or beta. After a decay, the daughter nucleus may be left excited and then emits gamma to drop to a lower energy state.