Question

study guide for nuclear chemistry
1 what determines if an atom will be radioactive or unstable?
2 the three principle types of radioactive decay are alpha beta decay
use the following answer choices for question 3 - 15
a. alpha particles
b. beta particles
c. gamma rays
d. alpha and beta particles
e. beta particles and gamma rays
f. all of the above
3 described as a fast moving electron
4 has a positive charge
5 has no mass or atomic number
6 changes both the mass number and atomic number in radioactive decay
7 a helium nucleus
8 electromagnetic radiation
9 cannot be stopped by human skin or a piece of paper
10 largest type of radioactive decay
11 transmutation reaction
12 most damaging and most penetrating
13 particle released when carbon - 14 changes to nitrogen - 14
14 emission increases the stability of the nucleus
15 not deflected by any magnetic or electrical fields
16 write the nuclear decay equation for thorium - 230 undergoing alpha decay
17 write the nuclear decay equation for li emitting a beta particle
18 thorium 234 can undergo beta particle production. what is the other product?

Explanation:

1. Unstable neutron - proton ratio makes atom radioactive.
2. Three decay types are alpha, beta, gamma. For remaining, use nuclear decay knowledge.

Answer:

1. Unstable neutron - proton ratio
2. alpha, beta, gamma
3. b. beta particles
4. a. alpha particles
5. c. gamma rays
6. a. alpha particles
7. a. alpha particles
8. c. gamma rays
9. e. beta particles and gamma rays
10. a. alpha particles
11. d. alpha and beta particles
12. c. gamma rays
13. b. beta particles
14. f. all of the above
15. c. gamma rays
16. $^{230}_{90}Th

ightarrow^{226}_{88}Ra + ^{4}_{2}He$

1. $^{7}_{3}Li

ightarrow^{7}_{4}Be+^{0}_{ - 1}e$

1. (No clear question for 18. Please clarify.)