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Balance alpha and beta decay equations

11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 16 questions · Common Core: NGSS.HS-PS1-8 · England: GCSE Combined Science: Atomic structure (radioactivity) (nuclear equations)

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1
Question 1
What happens to a nucleus when it emits gamma radiation?
- A. Its atomic number goes up by 1
- B. It loses energy but its mass and atomic numbers stay the same
- C. It becomes a different element
- D. Its mass number falls by 4
2
Question 2
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 3
strontium-90 (mass number 90, atomic number 38) undergoes beta decay to form Y. What is the mass number of the new nucleus?
Answer
4
Question 4
Why does the element change in alpha and beta decay?
- A. The mass stays the same
- B. The atom gets hotter
- C. The number of protons in the nucleus changes
- D. The number of electrons in shells changes
5
Question 5
A nucleus with A = 60, Z = 27 decays into a nucleus with A = 60, Z = 28. What type of decay is this?
- A. alpha decay
- B. beta decay
- C. gamma emission only
Question 6
polonium-210 (mass number 210, atomic number 84) undergoes alpha decay to form Pb. What is the atomic number of the new nucleus?
Answer
7
Question 7
Why does the element change in alpha and beta decay?
- A. The atom gets hotter
- B. The number of protons in the nucleus changes
- C. The mass stays the same
- D. The number of electrons in shells changes
8
Question 8
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 9
americium-241 (mass number 241, atomic number 95) undergoes alpha decay to form Np. What is the atomic number of the new nucleus?
Answer
10
Question 10
Why does the element change in alpha and beta decay?
- A. The atom gets hotter
- B. The number of protons in the nucleus changes
- C. The mass stays the same
- D. The number of electrons in shells changes
11
Question 11
A nucleus with A = 14, Z = 6 decays into a nucleus with A = 14, Z = 7. What type of decay is this?
- A. alpha decay
- B. beta decay
- C. gamma emission only
Question 12
radium-226 (mass number 226, atomic number 88) undergoes alpha decay to form Rn. What is the mass number of the new nucleus?
Answer
13
Question 13
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
14
Question 14
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 15
strontium-90 (mass number 90, atomic number 38) undergoes beta decay to form Y. What is the mass number of the new nucleus?
Answer
16
Question 16
Why does the element change in alpha and beta decay?
- A. The atom gets hotter
- B. The mass stays the same
- C. The number of electrons in shells changes
- D. The number of protons in the nucleus changes

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Answer key: Balance alpha and beta decay equations

1. B. It loses energy but its mass and atomic numbers stay the same
2. A. alpha decay
3. 90
4. C. The number of protons in the nucleus changes
5. B. beta decay
6. 82
7. B. The number of protons in the nucleus changes
8. A. alpha decay
9. 93
10. B. The number of protons in the nucleus changes
11. B. beta decay
12. 222
13. D. It loses energy but its mass and atomic numbers stay the same
14. B. beta decay
15. 90
16. D. The number of protons in the nucleus changes