As you read through the lesson, answer the four questions below for each of the four types of radioactive decay:

Question

Alpha Decay (α-)
Beta-Minus Decay (β-)
Beta-Plus Decay (β+)
Gamma Decay
(ϒ)
What is the mass change?

It does not change
How does the nucleus change?

Becomes more stable
What is the particle created?

no particle created
What is the radiation type?

gamma rays

Answer 1

Here are the answers for each type of radioactive decay:

Alpha Decay (α-)

1. What is the mass change?

   • The mass decreases (specifically, reduces by 4 atomic mass units).

2. How does the nucleus change?

   • The nucleus loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons, leading to a different element that is more stable.

3. What is the particle created?

   • An alpha particle (which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons).

4. What is the radiation type?

   • Alpha radiation.

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Beta-Minus Decay (β-)

1. What is the mass change?

   • The mass does not change significantly (the mass number stays the same).

2. How does the nucleus change?

   • A neutron is converted into a proton, increasing the atomic number by 1, resulting in a new element.

3. What is the particle created?

   • A beta particle (an electron) and an antineutrino.

4. What is the radiation type?

   • Beta-minus radiation.

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Beta-Plus Decay (β+)

1. What is the mass change?

   • The mass does not change significantly (the mass number stays the same).

2. How does the nucleus change?

   • A proton is converted into a neutron, decreasing the atomic number by 1, resulting in a new element.

3. What is the particle created?

   • A beta particle (a positron) and a neutrino.

4. What is the radiation type?

   • Beta-plus radiation.

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Gamma Decay (ϒ)

1. What is the mass change?

   • There is no mass change.

2. How does the nucleus change?

   • The nucleus remains the same but moves to a lower energy state; it becomes more stable.

3. What is the particle created?

   • No particle is created; just gamma radiation is emitted.

4. What is the radiation type?

   • Gamma radiation.

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These explanations summarize the characteristics of each radioactive decay type.