Question

types of nuclear radiation - questions
instructions: identify the following descriptions as alpha, beta, or gamma:

1. this radiation can only be stopped by thick concrete or lead
2. this particle can be stopped by clothing alone.
3. during this decay, no protons, neutrons, or electrons are lost.
4. during this type of decay, two protons are lost.
5. this particle has a -1 charge.
6. this particle has a mass of 4.
7. this type of radiation is identical to an electron.
8. this form of radiation has no mass and no charge.
9. this particle is represented as a helium atom.
10. this particle is emitted as in the form of waves.
11. this particle can be stopped by a piece of paper.
12. this particle has average (medium) penetrating power.
13. this is the least dangerous type of radiation.
14. this is the most dangerous type of radiation.

instructions: use the nuclear equation below to answer the following questions:
\begin{array}{ccc} _{15}^{32}p&longrightarrow&_{16}^{32}s + _{-1}^{0}e end{array}

1. the picture above represents what type of nuclear decay?
2. what is the mass of the starting phosphorus (p) atom?
3. what is the mass of the particle released above?
4. which decay would have caused a larger change in mass?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall properties of nuclear radiation

Alpha radiation is a helium - 4 nucleus, has a mass of 4, a + 2 charge, can be stopped by a piece of paper, and during alpha - decay, two protons and two neutrons are lost. Beta radiation is an electron, has a - 1 charge, can be stopped by clothing, and during beta - decay, a neutron turns into a proton and an electron. Gamma radiation has no mass and no charge, and can only be stopped by thick concrete or lead.

Step2: Answer questions 1 - 14

1. Gamma (has high penetration, stopped by thick concrete or lead).
2. Beta (stopped by clothing).
3. Gamma (no protons, neutrons, or electrons lost during gamma - decay).
4. Alpha (two protons are lost during alpha - decay).
5. Beta (has a - 1 charge).
6. Alpha (mass of 4).
7. Beta (identical to an electron).
8. Gamma (no mass and no charge).
9. Alpha (represented as a helium atom).
10. Gamma (emitted as waves).
11. Alpha (stopped by a piece of paper).
12. Beta (has medium penetrating power).
13. Alpha (least dangerous outside the body due to low penetration).
14. Gamma (most dangerous due to high penetration).

Step3: Analyze nuclear equation

The equation $^{32}_{15}P
ightarrow^{32}_{16}S + ^{0}_{- 1}e$ shows a neutron in phosphorus turning into a proton and an electron. This is beta - decay.

Step4: Answer questions 15 - 18

1. Beta - decay (a neutron turns into a proton and an electron).
2. 32 (mass number of starting phosphorus atom is 32).
3. 0 (mass number of the electron released is 0).
4. Alpha - decay (alpha particle has mass of 4, while beta particle has mass of approximately 0).

Answer:

1. Gamma
2. Beta
3. Gamma
4. Alpha
5. Beta
6. Alpha
7. Beta
8. Gamma
9. Alpha
10. Gamma
11. Alpha
12. Beta
13. Alpha
14. Gamma
15. Beta - decay
16. 32
17. 0
18. Alpha - decay