Balance alpha and beta decay equations

Question 1

uranium-238 (mass number 238, atomic number 92) undergoes alpha decay to form Th. What is the atomic number of the new nucleus?

Answer 

Question 2

A nucleus with A = 90, Z = 38 decays into a nucleus with A = 90, Z = 39. What type of decay is this?

• A. alpha decay
• B. beta decay
• C. gamma emission only

Question 3

What happens to a nucleus when it emits gamma radiation?

• A. It becomes a different element
• B. Its mass number falls by 4
• C. It loses energy but its mass and atomic numbers stay the same
• D. Its atomic number goes up by 1

Question 4

radium-226 (mass number 226, atomic number 88) undergoes alpha decay to form Rn. What is the mass number of the new nucleus?

Answer 

Question 5

A nucleus with A = 131, Z = 53 decays into a nucleus with A = 131, Z = 54. What type of decay is this?

• A. alpha decay
• B. beta decay
• C. gamma emission only

Question 6

What happens to a nucleus when it emits gamma radiation?

• A. It loses energy but its mass and atomic numbers stay the same
• B. Its atomic number goes up by 1
• C. It becomes a different element
• D. Its mass number falls by 4

Question 7

carbon-14 (mass number 14, atomic number 6) undergoes beta decay to form N. What is the mass number of the new nucleus?

Answer 

Question 8

A nucleus with A = 90, Z = 38 decays into a nucleus with A = 90, Z = 39. What type of decay is this?

• A. alpha decay
• B. beta decay
• C. gamma emission only

Question 9

What happens to a nucleus when it emits gamma radiation?

• A. It becomes a different element
• B. Its atomic number goes up by 1
• C. Its mass number falls by 4
• D. It loses energy but its mass and atomic numbers stay the same

Question 10

iodine-131 (mass number 131, atomic number 53) undergoes beta decay to form Xe. What is the mass number of the new nucleus?

Answer 

Question 11

A nucleus with A = 238, Z = 92 decays into a nucleus with A = 234, Z = 90. What type of decay is this?

• A. alpha decay
• B. beta decay
• C. gamma emission only

Question 12

What happens to a nucleus when it emits gamma radiation?

• A. Its atomic number goes up by 1
• B. It becomes a different element
• C. Its mass number falls by 4
• D. It loses energy but its mass and atomic numbers stay the same

Question 13

polonium-210 (mass number 210, atomic number 84) undergoes alpha decay to form Pb. What is the atomic number of the new nucleus?

Answer 

Question 14

A nucleus with A = 210, Z = 84 decays into a nucleus with A = 206, Z = 82. What type of decay is this?

• A. alpha decay
• B. beta decay
• C. gamma emission only

Question 15

In beta decay, where does the emitted electron come from?

• A. a neutron in the nucleus changing into a proton
• B. the air around the atom
• C. the outer electron shell
• D. a proton splitting in two

Question 16

americium-241 (mass number 241, atomic number 95) undergoes alpha decay to form Np. What is the atomic number of the new nucleus?

Answer