Question
Which statements about radioactive decay are true? Check all that apply.
Most elements are unstable.
Radioactive decay happens when one kind of atom becomes another kind.
Radioactive elements occur in nature.
All elements have the same rate of decay.
Carbon-14 decays into nitrogen-14.
Most elements are unstable.
Radioactive decay happens when one kind of atom becomes another kind.
Radioactive elements occur in nature.
All elements have the same rate of decay.
Carbon-14 decays into nitrogen-14.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
Let's evaluate each statement about radioactive decay:
1. **Most elements are unstable.** - **False.** Most elements are stable; only a few are naturally radioactive.
2. **Radioactive decay happens when one kind of atom becomes another kind.** - **True.** Radioactive decay involves the transformation of one type of atom (the parent nuclide) into another type of atom (the daughter nuclide).
3. **Radioactive elements occur in nature.** - **True.** Some radioactive elements, like uranium and radon, occur naturally in the environment.
4. **All elements have the same rate of decay.** - **False.** The rate of decay (or half-life) varies greatly among different radioactive elements.
5. **Carbon-14 decays into nitrogen-14.** - **True.** Carbon-14 undergoes beta decay to form nitrogen-14.
Therefore, the true statements are:
- Radioactive decay happens when one kind of atom becomes another kind.
- Radioactive elements occur in nature.
- Carbon-14 decays into nitrogen-14.
1. **Most elements are unstable.** - **False.** Most elements are stable; only a few are naturally radioactive.
2. **Radioactive decay happens when one kind of atom becomes another kind.** - **True.** Radioactive decay involves the transformation of one type of atom (the parent nuclide) into another type of atom (the daughter nuclide).
3. **Radioactive elements occur in nature.** - **True.** Some radioactive elements, like uranium and radon, occur naturally in the environment.
4. **All elements have the same rate of decay.** - **False.** The rate of decay (or half-life) varies greatly among different radioactive elements.
5. **Carbon-14 decays into nitrogen-14.** - **True.** Carbon-14 undergoes beta decay to form nitrogen-14.
Therefore, the true statements are:
- Radioactive decay happens when one kind of atom becomes another kind.
- Radioactive elements occur in nature.
- Carbon-14 decays into nitrogen-14.