Nagwa uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

Homework Help

Lesson: Decay Chains

In this lesson, we will learn how to describe the four radioactive decay chains and identify the decay chain of an isotope from its nuclide symbol.

Worksheet • 14 Questions

Q1:

An atom of 2 4 9 C f decays to 2 1 3 P o via a series of 𝛼 and 𝛽 decays.

How many 𝛼 decays take place?

How many 𝛽 decays take place?

Q2:

An atom of 2 2 1 F r converts to 2 0 9 B i via a sequence of 5 nuclear decays. The fourth and fifth decays are 𝛽 βˆ’ decays and the others are 𝛼 decays. Which of the following nuclides is not formed in this decay pathway?

  • A 2 1 3 P o
  • B 2 1 7 A t
  • C 2 0 9 P b
  • D 2 1 3 B i
  • E 2 0 9 T l

Q3:

An atom of 2 2 2 R n converts to 2 0 6 T l via a sequence of 7 nuclear decays. The second, fourth and seventh decays are 𝛽 βˆ’ decays and the others are 𝛼 decays. Which of the following nuclides is not formed in this decay pathway?

  • A 2 1 0 B i
  • B 2 1 8 A t
  • C 2 1 0 P b
  • D 2 1 4 P o
  • E 2 0 6 H g

Q4:

Which of the following nuclei is likely to decay to 2 0 7 P b ?

  • A 2 2 7 T h
  • B 2 2 8 A c
  • C 2 2 2 R n
  • D 2 2 5 R a
  • E 2 4 5 C f

Q5:

In which of the following groups do the listed nuclides form part of the same decay chain?

  • A 2 4 3 2 1 5 2 3 1 2 3 5 P u , A t , P a , U
  • B 2 4 8 2 1 4 2 2 4 2 3 2 C m , P b , R a , T h
  • C 2 3 7 2 2 5 2 3 1 2 2 1 N p , A c , T h , F r
  • D 2 2 9 2 2 3 2 4 3 2 1 1 T h , F r , A m , B i
  • E 2 1 8 2 0 6 2 1 2 2 3 8 P o , H g , P b , U

Q6:

Which of the following nuclei is likely to decay to 2 0 9 B i ?

  • A 2 3 3 P a
  • B 2 2 3 R a
  • C 2 3 8 U
  • D 2 4 4 P u
  • E 2 1 8 P o

Q7:

An atom of 2 3 1 P a converts to 2 1 1 B i via a sequence of 7 nuclear decays. The third and seventh decays are 𝛽 βˆ’ decays and the others are 𝛼 decays. Which of the following nuclides is not formed in this decay pathway?

  • A 2 2 7 T h
  • B 2 1 9 R n
  • C 2 2 3 F r
  • D 2 1 1 P b
  • E 2 2 3 R a

Q8:

Which of the following nuclei is likely to decay to 2 0 6 P b ?

  • A 2 1 8 P o
  • B 2 4 0 U
  • C 2 2 4 R a
  • D 2 1 7 A t
  • E 2 1 1 B i

Q9:

Which of the following nuclei is likely to decay to 2 0 8 P b ?

  • A 2 2 8 R a
  • B 2 2 7 A c
  • C 2 2 1 F r
  • D 2 3 4 T h
  • E 2 1 8 A t

Q10:

An atom of 2 3 4 T h decays to 2 0 6 P b via a series of 𝛼 and 𝛽 decays.

How many 𝛼 decays take place?

How many 𝛽 decays take place?

Q11:

An atom of 2 3 8 U converts to 2 1 0 P b via a sequence of 11 nuclear decays. The second, third, ninth and tenth decays are 𝛽 βˆ’ decays and the others are 𝛼 decays. Which of the following nuclides is not formed in this decay pathway?

  • A 2 1 8 A t
  • B 2 1 4 P o
  • C 2 1 4 B i
  • D 2 1 8 P o
  • E 2 1 4 P b

Q12:

An atom of 2 3 3 U decays to 2 0 9 P b via a series of 𝛼 and 𝛽 decays.

How many 𝛼 decays take place?

How many 𝛽 decays take place?

Q13:

An atom of 2 3 9 N p decays to 2 0 7 P b via a series of 𝛼 and 𝛽 decays.

How many 𝛼 decays take place?

How many 𝛽 decays take place?

Q14:

An atom of 2 2 4 R a converts to 2 0 8 P b via a sequence of 6 nuclear decays. The fourth and fifth decays are 𝛽 βˆ’ decays and the others are 𝛼 decays. Which of the following nuclides is not formed in this decay pathway?

  • A 2 0 8 T l
  • B 2 1 6 P o
  • C 2 1 2 B i
  • D 2 1 2 P o
  • E 2 1 2 P b
Preview

Related Lessons

Related Worksheets