Decay Flashcards
what does a alpha particle have and what does is it the same as
2 protons and 2 neutrons same as a nucleus of a helium atom
How is alpha decay shown
4
HE
2
what are the 2 rule for alpha decay
the atomic number must decreases by 2
the atomic number must decreases by 4
what happens in beta decay
In beta decay, a neutron changes to a proton and an electron.
what is the rule of beta decay
the atomic number increases by 1 but the mass number does not change.
what is gamma decay
both the atomic number and the mass number are not changed at all.
what happens when a nucleus when it is unstable
nucleus gives out radiation called radioactive decay
what are isotopes
atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
what does activity mean
The activity is the rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decay.
how can activity be measured
Activity is measured in becquerel (Bq).
1 Bq = 1 decay per second.
how can you measure the radioactivity of a source
geiger-muller tube
