hysical/chemical conditions (e.g. temperature).","correct":true,"explanation":"Spontaneous decay occurs without an external trigger, and changing physical or chemical conditions such as temperature does not affect whether or when an individual nucleus decays."},{"text":"It occurs only when triggered by an external influence and is affected by physical/chemical conditions (e.g. temperature).","correct":false,"explanation":"Decay does not require heating, cooling, or another external cause. Temperature can affect ordinary chemical reactions, but nuclear decay occurs spontaneously and is unaffected by physical or chemical conditions."},{"text":"It occurs when the nucleus absorbs energy and is affected by physical/chemical conditions (e.g. temperature).","correct":false,"explanation":"Nuclear decay is not deliberately initiated by the nucleus absorbing energy from its surroundings. The correct description is spontaneous decay, unaffected by physical or chemical conditions such as temperature."},{"text":"It occurs when triggered by nearby nuclei and is unaffected by physical/chemical conditions (e.g. temperature).","correct":false,"explanation":"A nucleus does not decay because nearby nuclei or radiation trigger it under normal radioactive decay conditions. Decay occurs without an external trigger and is unaffected by physical or chemical conditions."}]},{"id":"22fc8dd1-7c41-4767-8425-339305b5f942","cardType":"basic","front":"Why is it impossible to predict the exact time a specific nucleus will decay?","back":"Decay is random; there is only a constant probability of decay per unit time for any undecayed nucleus.","points":1,"mcqOptions":[{"text":"Decay is random; there is only a constant probability of decay per unit time for any undecayed nucleus.","correct":true,"explanation":"Radioactive decay is random: an individual nucleus has no predictable decay time, but every undecayed nucleus has the same constant probability of decaying per unit time."},{"text":"Decay is periodic; there is only a constant probability of decay per unit time for any undecayed nucleus.","correct":false,"explanation":"The decay time is not fixed by the nucleus’s age or by a regular cycle. Individual decay is random, with a constant probability per unit time for any nucleus that remains undecayed."},{"text":"Decay is random; there is only an increasing probability of decay per unit time for any undecayed nucleus.","correct":false,"explanation":"A nucleus does not have a steadily increasing chance of decaying simply because it has survived longer. The probability per unit time remains constant, while the exact decay remains random."},{"text":"Decay is predictable; there is only a fixed time of decay per unit time for any undecayed nucleus.","correct":false,"explanation":"The half-life describes the statistical behaviour of many nuclei, not a guaranteed deadline for one nucleus. Each undecayed nucleus has a constant probability of decay per unit time, and the event is random."}]},{"id":"8403bd46-4153-4dc9-8171-ec7e5467df3f","cardType":"basic","front":"Compare the ionising power of alpha radiation and gamma radiation.","back":"

Alpha: highly ionising due to mass and +2 charge.
Gamma: weakly ionising because it is uncharged.

","points":2,"mcqOptions":[{"text":"

Alpha: highly ionising due to mass and +2 charge.
Gamma: weakly ionising because it is uncharged.

","correct":true,"explanation":"Alpha particles are helium nuclei with substantial mass and a +2 charge, producing dense ionisation. Gamma photons have no charge, so they interact less strongly and are weakly ionising."},{"text":"

Alpha: weakly ionising because it is uncharged.
Gamma: highly ionising due

Nuclear Decay

Nuclear Decay Flashcards

Nuclear Decay

Nuclear Decay Flashcards