Radioactive decay, half-life and uses

EasyMediumHard
123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Question 22
Medium

Unstable isotopes can undergo different types of radioactive decay to achieve a more stable configuration. Two common decay modes are alpha (α\alphaα) decay and beta-minus (β−\beta^-β−) decay.

Compare the processes of alpha decay and beta-minus decay.

In your answer, you should describe:

  • what each type of radiation consists of
  • what happens inside the nucleus during each decay process
  • the effect of each decay on the mass number and atomic number of the parent nucleus.
[6]

Radioactive decay, half-life and uses Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Radioactive decay, half-life and uses