images-CMC

Section 2: Radioactive Decay

Radioactive Decay

1.
If a thorium-230 atom undergoes alpha decay, what are the products of the reaction?
A)actinium and an alpha particle
B)actinium and a positron
C)radium and an alpha particle
D)radium and a positron
2.
What ratio is used to evaluate the stability of a nucleus?
A)the electron to proton ratio
B)the neutron to proton ratio
C)the electron to neutron ratio
D)the atomic number to mass number ratio
3.
What conditions in the nucleus usually result in beta decay?
A)The nucleus has too many neutrons.
B)The nucleus has too many protons.
C)The valence electrons are lost.
D)The atomic mass is greater than 300 amu.
4.
What happens during positron emission?
A)A proton is converted into a neutron and a positron.
B)A neutron is converted into a proton and a positron.
C)A proton is converted into a neutron and an electron.
D)An atomic explosion occurs.
5.
What happens to the mass of an atom when it undergoes alpha decay?
A)There is no change in mass.
B)The mass decreases by 1.
C)The mass increases by 4.
D)The mass decreases by 4.
6.
The atomic number of an atom ________ when it undergoes positron emission.
A)decreases by 2
B)increases by 2
C)decreases by 1
D)increases by 1
7.
A series of nuclear reactions that begins with an unstable nucleus and results in the formation of a stable nucleus is _______________.
A)a radioactive decay series
B)an isotope series
C)a band of stability
D)the Balmer series
Glencoe Online Learning CenterScience HomeProduct InfoSite MapContact Us

The McGraw-Hill CompaniesGlencoe

Please read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before you explore our Web site. To report a technical problem with this Web site, please contact the Web Producer.