Types of Radioactive Decay - AP Physics 2

1. What is gamma decay?

   Emission of a high-energy photon, no change in atomic or mass number. Only releases excess nuclear energy as photons.

2. What is isomeric transition in radioactive decay?

   Emission of gamma photons as nucleus moves to lower energy state. Metastable nucleus decays to ground state.

3. What is electron capture?

   An inner electron is captured by the nucleus, converting a proton to a neutron. Also emits X-rays from electron shell rearrangement.

4. What is the effect of beta-minus decay on neutron count?

   Decreases neutron count by converting a neutron to a proton. One fewer neutron, one more proton.

5. Which decay involves electromagnetic radiation?

   Gamma decay involves electromagnetic radiation. Emits high-energy photons ($\gamma$ rays).

6. Which process decreases atomic number by 1?

   Beta-plus decay or electron capture decreases atomic number by 1. Both convert proton to neutron, reducing charge.

7. How does alpha decay affect atomic number?

   Decreases atomic number by 2. Loses 2 protons in alpha particle.

8. During which decay does mass number remain unchanged?

   In beta and gamma decay, the mass number remains unchanged. No nucleons are lost, only energy changes.

9. Which decay increases atomic number by 1?

   Beta-minus decay increases atomic number by 1. Neutron becomes proton, increasing nuclear charge.

10. What occurs in neutron emission?

    A neutron is emitted, reducing mass number by 1. Direct emission reduces nucleon count.

11. Which decay process enhances neutron-to-proton ratio?

    Beta-plus decay increases the neutron-to-proton ratio. Converts proton to neutron, increasing ratio.

12. What is the energy source in radioactive decay?

    Nuclear binding energy is released during decay. Mass defect converts to kinetic energy.

13. What is positron emission?

    Proton converts to neutron, emitting a positron and neutrino. $\beta^+$ decay decreases atomic number by 1.

14. What is a decay series?

    Sequence of decays leading from one isotope to a stable isotope. Multiple steps reach final stable nucleus.

15. What is the effect of electron capture on atomic number?

    Decreases atomic number by 1. Inner electron combines with proton.

16. What is beta decay?

    Conversion of a neutron to a proton with emission of an electron. Also releases an antineutrino for conservation.

17. What is alpha decay?

    Emission of a helium-4 nucleus (2 protons, 2 neutrons). The $\alpha$ particle has mass 4 and charge +2.

18. What is the effect of radioactive decay on stability?

    Decay increases nuclear stability. Moves nucleus toward valley of stability.

19. Identify the decay reducing both atomic number and mass.

    Alpha decay reduces both atomic number and mass. Loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons total.

20. What is the parent isotope?

    The original unstable isotope before decay. The starting nucleus before transformation.

21. What is the primary change in beta-plus decay?

    A proton is converted into a neutron. Increases neutron count, decreases proton count.

22. Define nuclear decay.

    Spontaneous transformation of an unstable atomic nucleus. Random process driven by quantum mechanics.

23. What particle is a helium nucleus?

    An alpha particle is a helium nucleus. Contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons bound.

24. What is the primary change in beta-minus decay?

    A neutron is converted into a proton. Increases proton count, decreases neutron count.

25. What particle is involved in neutron capture?

    A neutron is absorbed by the nucleus. Increases mass number by 1.

26. Identify a decay that reduces mass number by 4.

    Alpha decay reduces mass number by 4. Loses one helium-4 nucleus (mass = 4).

27. What is the daughter isotope?

    The stable isotope formed after decay. The product nucleus after decay occurs.

28. What is a decay chain?

    A series of successive radioactive decays until a stable nucleus is formed. Continues until reaching valley of stability.

29. Which decay emits an antineutrino?

    Beta-minus decay emits an antineutrino. Conservation requires antineutrino with electron.

30. What occurs during spontaneous fission?

    A heavy nucleus splits into smaller nuclei and particles. Releases large amounts of energy and neutrons.

31. Identify the decay process with no charge change.

    Gamma decay has no change in charge. Only nuclear energy state changes.

32. What is the definition of a radionuclide?

    A radioactive isotope of an element. Unstable nucleus with excess energy or mass.

33. Which decay involves a neutrino emission?

    Beta-plus decay involves neutrino emission. Electron capture also emits neutrino.

34. Identify the decay increasing atomic number by 1.

    Beta-minus decay increases atomic number by 1. Neutron converts to proton plus electron.

35. What is the result of positron emission on charge?

    Reduces positive charge by converting a proton into a neutron. Proton becomes neutron, reducing nuclear charge.

36. Define half-life in terms of radioactive decay.

    Time required for half the radioactive nuclei to decay. Exponential decay follows first-order kinetics.

37. What is transmutation in nuclear decay?

    Conversion of one chemical element to another during decay. Changes atomic number, creating new element.

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